Liquid nitrogen boils at about 77 degrees Kelvin, to warm to keep this material superconducting. Liquid helium is the next coldest liquid at 4 degrees K.
If someone can use there own body to provide cells used to form replacement tissues, there aren't any issues with rejection. Could be a boon to all those waiting for compatible donors for organ transplants. I wonder how soon we will be seeing educational institutions providing degrees in organ/tissue engineering?
Is there any hope of someone (or group of someones) making a level for Quake, Halflife, etc. that is based on the NASA pictures? Seems to me that it would be really cool to explore another world in V.R.
I'd give a shot at this myself, but I'm not a game programmer. Is there support for an O.S. version of this type of project?
This seems to be a new class of organism that has not been dealt with in literature or the media. A simple to remember, easy to pronounce word would facilitate casual conversation about the plants-with-a-computer-chip-that-can-compunicate-b y-radio topic. That said, I've included some definitions (courtesy of dictionary.com)
cyborg (sbôrg) (n.) A human being who has certain physiological processes aided or controlled by mechanical or electronic devices.
[cyb(ernetic) + org(anism).]
cybernetics (sbr-ntks) (n., used with a sing. verb) The theoretical study of communication and control processes in biological, mechanical, and electronic systems, especially the comparison of these processes in biological and artificial systems.
organism (ôrg-nzm) (n. ) 1. An individual form of life, such as a plant, an animal, a bacterium, a protist, or a fungus; a body made up of organs, organelles, or other parts that work together to carry on the various processes of life. 2. A system regarded as analogous in its structure or functions to a living body: the social organism.
While the root words seem to indicate that a plant with a controller chip would fit the term cyporg, actual usage seems to be restricted to human or human like organisms. Some more definitions:
-phyte (suff.) A plant with a specified character or habitat: halophyte. A pathological growth: osteophyte.
Combining these terms results in the word cyberphyte, a plant characterized by being part of a computer network. How does this sound? Does anyone have other ideas for a good, descriptive term for this type of organism? Perhaps something that includes a hint at the ability to be genetically reprogrammed? I'm kinda stumped about that part and don't know if that is too specific.
Could it just be that we are seeing a disk-shaped nebula on edge? Picture looking at a disk that is thin in the middle and thicker at the edges, like a tire on a wheel.
Aloha net, used by the University of Hawii. It's packet algorithms were some of the early precursers to algorithms used in most single-medium networks, such as ethernet. They used a wireless network to connect computers on different islands.
If they used the web before this patent aplication, that's prior art.
It sounds like something like this has been used by the Israelis. The Massad (Israel secret service) apparently disabled the cell phone of an anti-jewish terrorist using some jamming equipment. Then they got an agent to give him a "special" replacement.
The last thing the guy heard was when the head of the Massad called him, told him his name and to listen carefully. The phone was loaded with C4 and blew off his head when the # key was pressed.
Here's another article about the same system on SpaceDaily.com with a bunch of links related to the project.
Military space station
on
Space Diving
·
· Score: 1
If spacediving works out, how long do you think it will be before the military wants its own space station (again)? That way they can keep a schedule of regular flights and be able to insert comandos anywhere within a couple of hours. If launched from a space station, the target wouldn't be able to count on just watching for rocket launches.
So do you think that modified 747 will just shoot down non-human missles? I don't think the Geneva convention says anything about energy wepons.
I work in the auto industry and feel obligated to make an argument AGAINST open source for automobiles. I do believe in OS, but there can be some real problems:
It would make it easier to hack the car. I'm not refering to the owner making customizations, rather, a cracker gaining control of it. If a cracker breaks into a computer, monitary damage. If a cracker breaks into a car, you potentially have a multi-ton self-propelled machine not under local control. With all the hype about getting internet access in cars, it is phisically possible to take over the car and drive it by remote (electronic stearing, shifting, breaking, ignition, accelerator, vision enhancement, etc.)
Additionally, there are a lot of algorithms used in various systems in the car that are manufactured my sub-system suppliers. For companies like mine, we are only competitive because we have an algorithm that works better than anyone elses. We are already beat on manufacturing price because a competitor uses cheap, foreign labor where they don't have to pay decent wages or give benifits. If they continuallly got our algorithms from the source code, we'd be out of business in short order.
There is also the posibility of legal liabilty for the auto manufacturer. If someone can demonstrate that an accident occured because of a coding error, they have to pay the big bucks. This is probably the way they'd view it, even though OS potentually means more bug finders which can reduce accidents.
On another note, I have looked into using embedded Linux for our (closed source) software, but it won't run on the ST9+ family of microcontrollers.
Damn, it hurts to give reasons aginst open source!
So you're saying that if company X uses GPL'ed code without releasing the source, they won't be able to legally stop people from freely copying that company X sofware.
If that's the case, if someone can prove M$ uses GPL code in their products, anyone can legally copy it for free (regardless of what the EULA says). Of course if this is the case, the GPL will have a thorough test in the legal system.
Well, at least it seems to be a problem other than using the wrong units (although that could be fixed with a software patch). If it affects the trajectory, unlike what is claimed in the article, Cassini could get some REAL closeup photos!
Below is a reply received on December 3rd to some questions I submitted on their developer site a while back.
Is there any technical information available to facilitate creating 3rd party apps for the VisorPhone?
Specifically, I'm interested in possibilities involving the microphone, speaker and headset. Also, is there any memory available for apps in the module?
Hi xxxxx,
Sorry for the long delay in getting back to you.
We will be making an API for VisorPhone available that will allow you to manipulate the phone. I believe we'll be publishing the APIs later in the month. The microphone is passed up from the handheld to the Springboard slot directly. The speaker and headset are part of the module electronics. I mention this because some developers are interested in manipulating these features with software running on the handheld which isn't possible outside the phone. For example, the APIs will allow you to establish a call from software. They won't include functionality to utilize the mic or speaker directly though.
Data is handled by using the phone just like a circuit switched modem.
The space in the Flash module is likely to be pretty tight. App space on the module memory is a great idea, but I don't think we were able to do that this time around.
Business related inquires can also be directed to DevInfo@Handspring.com if you'd like to discuss the commercial aspects of this product.
How many secretaries have you disrupted from their important "work"? How long did your parents feverishly click the little squares when they first started using a Wintel machine?
If you mean that the Odyssey is not true, word for word, I'd have to agree with you. A better argument would be that the story is analagous to a movie based on true life events. Look at some modern examples:
William Cody, John Henry and Bill Hicock were all real people in the last part of the 19th century. A man who brings the Old West to Europe in the form of his traveling Wild West show, a man who dug a section of a tunnel faster than a broken machine and a man who had a very fast draw are already the stuff of legends. What will more than 3000 years do to their stories?
If historians argue about the true history of Buffalo Bill, Iron John Henry or Wild Bill in 3000 years, some are bound to say that it is all made up. We know today that it is the truth. Who can say what we regard as purely myth today is not, in fact, a glamorized, distored chronicle of the past?
I had a classical civilization class in college, and boy, does this raise memories of some class debates.
The story of Odessyus (Ulysis) (sp?) was thought to have come from stories older than 1200 B.C. There seems to have been a large civilization based out of Crete whose ruins seem to be the source for the legends about the Minatour. Again, this civilization fell about 1200 B.C.
Classical scholars could seem to agree on a reason for the downfall. Now we know (or can at least make a better guess)!
According to the article on the AP's website in the science section, the mutation only works if it is on one chromosome. If it occurs on both cromosomes, the lifespan is shorter than normal.
If a man and woman with one mutated gene had kids, on average 1/4 of their kids would have no mutated genes (normal life span), 1/2 of their kids would have one mutated gene (expanded life span) and 1/4 of their kids would have two mutated genes (shortened life span).
This would preclude a permanent "tweak" to the human geonome, perhaps via a "friendly" virus. It would help one generation live longer, but doom half their decendants to normal or shorter than normal lives.
Handspring already is selling a 16-bit color Palm OS device called the Visor Prism . I wonder if can be upgraded to the new OS, or if it uses ROM to store the OS like the Visor Solo or Visor Deluxe?
The required age, height and weight corresponds to NASA's requirements for astronauts.
NASA want people to have experience--the requirement is at least a Bachelor's degree in a related field and three years of professional experience. Apparently the quiz portion of the contest is substituted.
The height restriction is for space suits, acceleration couches, etc. They don't work very well if you don't fit in them, and they like changing the expression to "all fit one size" to save money.
The weight restriction is probably related to the above and the fact that the cost to lauch to orbit is about $10,000 U.S. per pound or $4,500 U.S. per Kg (convert the currency yourself-the U.S. dollar is an international standard).
These restrictions are almost the same as they were at the beginning of U.S. spaceflight. And yes, I looked into being an astronaut. The only thing holding me back from applying is my vision (must be 20/80 to be a pilot and 20/200 to be mission specialist), two more years experience and about 15 pounds (6.8 Kg)!
Slashdot Mirror
I wonder if people who receive this now have to worry about bovine illnesses like hoof and mouth disease?
...although I think it would take more than a little Guiness to convince Linus.
Does this article mean any upcoming changes to my /. experience? I know the answer I'd get from CT, but what about from VA Linux?
...someone could just make the mainstream journalists feel like the chumps they are, we'd probably see some new headlines. Keep it up /.
Liquid nitrogen boils at about 77 degrees Kelvin, to warm to keep this material superconducting. Liquid helium is the next coldest liquid at 4 degrees K.
I'd give a shot at this myself, but I'm not a game programmer. Is there support for an O.S. version of this type of project?
cyborg (sbôrg) (n.) A human being who has certain physiological processes aided or controlled by mechanical or electronic devices. [cyb(ernetic) + org(anism).]
cybernetics (sbr-ntks) (n., used with a sing. verb) The theoretical study of communication and control processes in biological, mechanical, and electronic systems, especially the comparison of these processes in biological and artificial systems.
organism (ôrg-nzm) (n. ) 1. An individual form of life, such as a plant, an animal, a bacterium, a protist, or a fungus; a body made up of organs, organelles, or other parts that work together to carry on the various processes of life. 2. A system regarded as analogous in its structure or functions to a living body: the social organism.
While the root words seem to indicate that a plant with a controller chip would fit the term cyporg, actual usage seems to be restricted to human or human like organisms. Some more definitions:
cyber- (pref.) Computer: cyberpunk. Computer network: cyberspace.
-phyte (suff.) A plant with a specified character or habitat: halophyte. A pathological growth: osteophyte.
Combining these terms results in the word cyberphyte , a plant characterized by being part of a computer network. How does this sound? Does anyone have other ideas for a good, descriptive term for this type of organism? Perhaps something that includes a hint at the ability to be genetically reprogrammed? I'm kinda stumped about that part and don't know if that is too specific.
If they used the web before this patent aplication, that's prior art.
The last thing the guy heard was when the head of the Massad called him, told him his name and to listen carefully. The phone was loaded with C4 and blew off his head when the # key was pressed.
So do you think that modified 747 will just shoot down non-human missles? I don't think the Geneva convention says anything about energy wepons.
One of these days I'm going to resurrect my old Tandy 1000 RL with a real M.B.
It would make it easier to hack the car. I'm not refering to the owner making customizations, rather, a cracker gaining control of it. If a cracker breaks into a computer, monitary damage. If a cracker breaks into a car, you potentially have a multi-ton self-propelled machine not under local control. With all the hype about getting internet access in cars, it is phisically possible to take over the car and drive it by remote (electronic stearing, shifting, breaking, ignition, accelerator, vision enhancement, etc.)
Additionally, there are a lot of algorithms used in various systems in the car that are manufactured my sub-system suppliers. For companies like mine, we are only competitive because we have an algorithm that works better than anyone elses. We are already beat on manufacturing price because a competitor uses cheap, foreign labor where they don't have to pay decent wages or give benifits. If they continuallly got our algorithms from the source code, we'd be out of business in short order.
There is also the posibility of legal liabilty for the auto manufacturer. If someone can demonstrate that an accident occured because of a coding error, they have to pay the big bucks. This is probably the way they'd view it, even though OS potentually means more bug finders which can reduce accidents.
On another note, I have looked into using embedded Linux for our (closed source) software, but it won't run on the ST9+ family of microcontrollers.
Damn, it hurts to give reasons aginst open source!
If that's the case, if someone can prove M$ uses GPL code in their products, anyone can legally copy it for free (regardless of what the EULA says). Of course if this is the case, the GPL will have a thorough test in the legal system.
Well, at least it seems to be a problem other than using the wrong units (although that could be fixed with a software patch). If it affects the trajectory, unlike what is claimed in the article, Cassini could get some REAL closeup photos!
Is there any technical information available to facilitate creating 3rd party apps for the VisorPhone?
Specifically, I'm interested in possibilities involving the microphone, speaker and headset. Also, is there any memory available for apps in the module?
Hi xxxxx,
Sorry for the long delay in getting back to you.
We will be making an API for VisorPhone available that will allow you to manipulate the phone. I believe we'll be publishing the APIs later in the month. The microphone is passed up from the handheld to the Springboard slot directly. The speaker and headset are part of the module electronics. I mention this because some developers are interested in manipulating these features with software running on the handheld which isn't possible outside the phone. For example, the APIs will allow you to establish a call from software. They won't include functionality to utilize the mic or speaker directly though.
Data is handled by using the phone just like a circuit switched modem.
The space in the Flash module is likely to be pretty tight. App space on the module memory is a great idea, but I don't think we were able to do that this time around.
Business related inquires can also be directed to DevInfo@Handspring.com if you'd like to discuss the commercial aspects of this product.
Mike, DTS
How many secretaries have you disrupted from their important "work"? How long did your parents feverishly click the little squares when they first started using a Wintel machine?
If you mean that the Odyssey is not true, word for word, I'd have to agree with you. A better argument would be that the story is analagous to a movie based on true life events. Look at some modern examples:
William Cody, John Henry and Bill Hicock were all real people in the last part of the 19th century. A man who brings the Old West to Europe in the form of his traveling Wild West show, a man who dug a section of a tunnel faster than a broken machine and a man who had a very fast draw are already the stuff of legends. What will more than 3000 years do to their stories?
If historians argue about the true history of Buffalo Bill, Iron John Henry or Wild Bill in 3000 years, some are bound to say that it is all made up. We know today that it is the truth. Who can say what we regard as purely myth today is not, in fact, a glamorized, distored chronicle of the past?
The story of Odessyus (Ulysis) (sp?) was thought to have come from stories older than 1200 B.C. There seems to have been a large civilization based out of Crete whose ruins seem to be the source for the legends about the Minatour. Again, this civilization fell about 1200 B.C.
Classical scholars could seem to agree on a reason for the downfall. Now we know (or can at least make a better guess)!
If a man and woman with one mutated gene had kids, on average 1/4 of their kids would have no mutated genes (normal life span), 1/2 of their kids would have one mutated gene (expanded life span) and 1/4 of their kids would have two mutated genes (shortened life span).
This would preclude a permanent "tweak" to the human geonome, perhaps via a "friendly" virus. It would help one generation live longer, but doom half their decendants to normal or shorter than normal lives.
NASA want people to have experience--the requirement is at least a Bachelor's degree in a related field and three years of professional experience. Apparently the quiz portion of the contest is substituted.
The height restriction is for space suits, acceleration couches, etc. They don't work very well if you don't fit in them, and they like changing the expression to "all fit one size" to save money.
The weight restriction is probably related to the above and the fact that the cost to lauch to orbit is about $10,000 U.S. per pound or $4,500 U.S. per Kg (convert the currency yourself-the U.S. dollar is an international standard).
These restrictions are almost the same as they were at the beginning of U.S. spaceflight. And yes, I looked into being an astronaut. The only thing holding me back from applying is my vision (must be 20/80 to be a pilot and 20/200 to be mission specialist), two more years experience and about 15 pounds (6.8 Kg)!