I don't remember which site had the story (I didn't see it in a quick search of/.), but in some cities drinking water contains trace elements of various pharmaceuticals. Since our waste water is processed and used again for drinking water, it's not being filtered out.
So we don't need to add in the meds....everyone else is already on so many meds that it's finding its way into the drinking water on its own.
Unless I missed it, TFA left out the technical details of the problem and was filled with FUD language instead.
From what I saw on wiki, it's a quasi-DC current. Why can't we just install massive inductors that give high impedance to 60hz and pass DC? Wouldn't that cost less than $45k? Don't we already have static drain chokes? How does this affect current lightning protection shunts (or when they say the protection circuits pop, is that to what they're referring)?
What would be really neat is an ATV downlink on UHF so we could watch it. I've always wanted to see the transition where the blue sky disappears.
FYI, APRS is pretty much text messaging for amateur radio. The most popular use is reporting your position (which is what the balloon does), but it's an easy way to pass short digital messages....or even send an email if you're near one of the gateways.
Off topic, but semi-related because of APRS: AT Golden Packet Event. An APRS packet is relayed up the entire Appalachian Trail.
It's important to recognize that the size of the antenna is bigger at 700mhz. Remember the old phones with the antenna you extend? 1/4 wave at 700mhz is 4.2 inches. Compared to the 1.2 inches at 2.4ghz, I don't think manufacturers would be able to conceal it within the device and still get good performance.
The way it's worded seems a little ambiguous to me. Did the theft alone cost the state $3 million or did the theft cause the state to spend $3 on licensing a product from mcafee? Both sound like reasonable figures when dealing with the public sector and taxpayer money.
My job requires me to spring into action when disaster strikes. On my way to an unfamiliar site, I was completely lost due to a closed road. Power was off so long the battery backup at the cell tower failed. Luckily, I was able to get there after a whole lot of driving in circles.
We're putting too many eggs in one basket. That's one of the reasons why I'm an amateur radio operator (ham). If I had my license during the aforementioned problem, I could have easily gotten the other engineer on the airwaves because he's a ham as well.
What's interesting is that there's a HUGE (100kw or bigger) generator about 50 feet from this cell tower which powers the Comcast cable headend (the place that distributes cable to the entire metro area). Maybe they'd finally be able to working something out if the battery issue is pushed.
IIRC, he used lycopodium powder on the surface. Not quite sure why that stuck in my brain for the last 20 years.
And yes, I think a lot of us owe our geekness to Mr Wizard. Off the top of my head, I remember the water displacement in the blue barrel with the kid who was freezing, the snow melting in the microwave, the telescope, the papercutting and jumping through it, the illusion of fading into a skeleton, and one of those shorts in it where they heated the pebbles to provide better traction on ice.
It's good to see some publicity about amateur radio.
Pretty easy to get your license, too. About a week's worth of studying will get you on the air. The ARRL (American Radio Relay League) has a ton of info about getting licensed.
It's exciting that you can IM someone through the internet and have it appear in a couple milliseconds........but how about sending a transmission through the air to someone on the other side of the world at the speed of light using something half the size of your laptop and an antenna as long as that crazy cat-5 wire you have stretched across 3 rooms?
Not sure why I thought of this and I have no experience with dynamically balanced robots...but...
If the gyroscope and such balancing mechanisms are so incredibly sensitive, perhaps it's possible for the sensors to get overloaded from very fast movement and the robot would lose his balance. In essence, he would get dizzy.
At this stage, I doubt you could call the robot falling in the video getting dizzy...but still, it's food for thought.
Incandescent bulbs waste a lot of energy. We all know this. In fact, that's the specific reason I use them for certain applications like dummy loads...draining batteries, discharging caps, bleeding off excess RF... I WANT to waste excess electricity. A resistor of comparable wattage is a lot more expensive. I also use them to limit current...when fixing power amplifiers, I put 2x25 watts in series to prevent overloads during testing.
What about vacuum tubes compared to solid state equipment? We all know how inefficient tubes are and how they have a much shorter service life than solid state transistors.
I just hope this idea stays in california and australia...give us INCENTIVE to switch, not a REQUIREMENT to switch.
Plenty of confusion here...people have already commented to clear up the DRM confusion, let's take a look at the industry:
1. The label signs the artist. 2. The label pays for expensive studio time. 3. The rep from the label contacts the program directors at radio stations to get airplay. Sending your demo tape to a station will not get you on the air...reps who offer tickets at concerts and coop opportunities for bigger artists get airplay (because payola is technically illegal). 4. The label pays for CD duplication, printing, distribution. 5. The label sends your CD to the music outlets. 6. The label arranges concerts, merchandising, etc to make you rich (because we all know artists make nearly nothing on the music itself).
In this day and age, computers and very inexpensive technology have somewhat eliminated the need for expensive studio time...but you can't cheap out on a real producer and real mastering engineer. Regardless, let's assume you have a decent recording. Instead of radio airplay, you go for popularity on myspace. You have no costs for CD duplication, printing, distribution or the need for agreements with music outlets. You arrange tshirt/mug/hat printing from an online business.
So...we're basically outdating the labels and the radio stations.
I'm sure we'll see everyone with ipods, using itunes on ibooks, a new Apple tree infront of the school and a crooked Macintosh logo bumper sticker on the school bus.
Scott Granneman debates that since Skype is owned by eBay and is closed source, we have no way of verifying this claim.
With all the talented people out there, I'm sure SOMEONE (dvd jon?) could easily test out the encryption strength. I doubt anyone would even notice if you do it to your own account and your own friends on the other side of the call.
According to NEC, their software is designed to sound an alarm when being used, to avoid any copyright conflicts. The company claims that any attempts to mute the device somehow or plug in headphones will not affect the audibility of this alarm.
ISSUE The audible alarm may be bypassed by removing the device from which it makes sound.
PROOF 1) Open case 2) Slice wire going to speaker 3) Take pictures of secret documents 4) Close case
IMPLICATIONS You'll somehow be thrown in jail by the DMCA and your entire family somehow destroyed by the Patriot Act and other anti-terrorism measures.
It does nothing for the consumer (because you'd assume Dell employees would have Dell servers)...and even if a consumer caught a glimpse of it, all I saw at first was a huge black and bold "DELL".
Slashdot Mirror
I don't remember which site had the story (I didn't see it in a quick search of /.), but in some cities drinking water contains trace elements of various pharmaceuticals. Since our waste water is processed and used again for drinking water, it's not being filtered out.
So we don't need to add in the meds....everyone else is already on so many meds that it's finding its way into the drinking water on its own.
Unless I missed it, TFA left out the technical details of the problem and was filled with FUD language instead.
From what I saw on wiki, it's a quasi-DC current. Why can't we just install massive inductors that give high impedance to 60hz and pass DC? Wouldn't that cost less than $45k? Don't we already have static drain chokes? How does this affect current lightning protection shunts (or when they say the protection circuits pop, is that to what they're referring)?
Linemen chime in!
What would be really neat is an ATV downlink on UHF so we could watch it. I've always wanted to see the transition where the blue sky disappears.
FYI, APRS is pretty much text messaging for amateur radio. The most popular use is reporting your position (which is what the balloon does), but it's an easy way to pass short digital messages....or even send an email if you're near one of the gateways.
Off topic, but semi-related because of APRS: AT Golden Packet Event. An APRS packet is relayed up the entire Appalachian Trail.
Disclaimer: IAAH (I Am A Ham). dit-dit.
It's important to recognize that the size of the antenna is bigger at 700mhz. Remember the old phones with the antenna you extend? 1/4 wave at 700mhz is 4.2 inches. Compared to the 1.2 inches at 2.4ghz, I don't think manufacturers would be able to conceal it within the device and still get good performance.
I think they were aiming for the First United Church of Kutztown, but the coordinates were off. Rumor has it the abbreviation is written on the roof.
Does this mean we can just blame it on the Bosenova?
The way it's worded seems a little ambiguous to me. Did the theft alone cost the state $3 million or did the theft cause the state to spend $3 on licensing a product from mcafee? Both sound like reasonable figures when dealing with the public sector and taxpayer money.
My job requires me to spring into action when disaster strikes. On my way to an unfamiliar site, I was completely lost due to a closed road. Power was off so long the battery backup at the cell tower failed. Luckily, I was able to get there after a whole lot of driving in circles.
We're putting too many eggs in one basket. That's one of the reasons why I'm an amateur radio operator (ham). If I had my license during the aforementioned problem, I could have easily gotten the other engineer on the airwaves because he's a ham as well.
What's interesting is that there's a HUGE (100kw or bigger) generator about 50 feet from this cell tower which powers the Comcast cable headend (the place that distributes cable to the entire metro area). Maybe they'd finally be able to working something out if the battery issue is pushed.
IIRC, he used lycopodium powder on the surface. Not quite sure why that stuck in my brain for the last 20 years.
And yes, I think a lot of us owe our geekness to Mr Wizard. Off the top of my head, I remember the water displacement in the blue barrel with the kid who was freezing, the snow melting in the microwave, the telescope, the papercutting and jumping through it, the illusion of fading into a skeleton, and one of those shorts in it where they heated the pebbles to provide better traction on ice.
It's good to see some publicity about amateur radio.
Pretty easy to get your license, too. About a week's worth of studying will get you on the air. The ARRL (American Radio Relay League) has a ton of info about getting licensed.
It's exciting that you can IM someone through the internet and have it appear in a couple milliseconds........but how about sending a transmission through the air to someone on the other side of the world at the speed of light using something half the size of your laptop and an antenna as long as that crazy cat-5 wire you have stretched across 3 rooms?
73 de KB3OOJ
I was referencing the line when 1955 Doc says that plutonium should be available in every corner drugstore.
Dr. Emmett Brown: I'm sure in 1985 plutonium is available at every corner drugstore, but in 1955 it's a little hard to come by.
Read: http://imdb.com/title/tt0088763/quotes
You fail. Have a nice day.
You'd think that computers would have built-in hardware based RNGs by now. On-board sound, video, network, etc.......where is the radioactive decay RNG? After all, in 1985 plutonium should be available in every corner drugstore.
licensed/321
:)
Ahh the good 'ole days
Not sure why I thought of this and I have no experience with dynamically balanced robots...but...
If the gyroscope and such balancing mechanisms are so incredibly sensitive, perhaps it's possible for the sensors to get overloaded from very fast movement and the robot would lose his balance. In essence, he would get dizzy.
At this stage, I doubt you could call the robot falling in the video getting dizzy...but still, it's food for thought.
Incandescent bulbs waste a lot of energy. We all know this. In fact, that's the specific reason I use them for certain applications like dummy loads...draining batteries, discharging caps, bleeding off excess RF... I WANT to waste excess electricity. A resistor of comparable wattage is a lot more expensive. I also use them to limit current...when fixing power amplifiers, I put 2x25 watts in series to prevent overloads during testing.
What about vacuum tubes compared to solid state equipment? We all know how inefficient tubes are and how they have a much shorter service life than solid state transistors.
I just hope this idea stays in california and australia...give us INCENTIVE to switch, not a REQUIREMENT to switch.
Plenty of confusion here...people have already commented to clear up the DRM confusion, let's take a look at the industry:
1. The label signs the artist.
2. The label pays for expensive studio time.
3. The rep from the label contacts the program directors at radio stations to get airplay. Sending your demo tape to a station will not get you on the air...reps who offer tickets at concerts and coop opportunities for bigger artists get airplay (because payola is technically illegal).
4. The label pays for CD duplication, printing, distribution.
5. The label sends your CD to the music outlets.
6. The label arranges concerts, merchandising, etc to make you rich (because we all know artists make nearly nothing on the music itself).
In this day and age, computers and very inexpensive technology have somewhat eliminated the need for expensive studio time...but you can't cheap out on a real producer and real mastering engineer. Regardless, let's assume you have a decent recording. Instead of radio airplay, you go for popularity on myspace. You have no costs for CD duplication, printing, distribution or the need for agreements with music outlets. You arrange tshirt/mug/hat printing from an online business.
So...we're basically outdating the labels and the radio stations.
When it first loaded I thought, "where's the damn sound"?
Then I saw it was a gif...and thought, "why is it an animated picture and not a video with sound?"
Then I realized I needed more caffeine. Oops.
TFA mentions you lose some formatting...but I've had a ton of problems importing XLS. The majority of the time it adds random characters to the cells.
Overall, I agree that it'll be a cool app. Right now it's just very beta and not usable in the real world so it's difficult to give a real review.
There are plenty of sources closer to us that require less bells of whistles. Thermal (amplifier) noise? Radioactive decay?
Read.
I'm sure we'll see everyone with ipods, using itunes on ibooks, a new Apple tree infront of the school and a crooked Macintosh logo bumper sticker on the school bus.
:)
Nothing like trade
Scott Granneman debates that since Skype is owned by eBay and is closed source, we have no way of verifying this claim.
With all the talented people out there, I'm sure SOMEONE (dvd jon?) could easily test out the encryption strength. I doubt anyone would even notice if you do it to your own account and your own friends on the other side of the call.
According to NEC, their software is designed to sound an alarm when being used, to avoid any copyright conflicts. The company claims that any attempts to mute the device somehow or plug in headphones will not affect the audibility of this alarm.
ISSUE
The audible alarm may be bypassed by removing the device from which it makes sound.
PROOF
1) Open case
2) Slice wire going to speaker
3) Take pictures of secret documents
4) Close case
IMPLICATIONS
You'll somehow be thrown in jail by the DMCA and your entire family somehow destroyed by the Patriot Act and other anti-terrorism measures.
ISSUING AUTHORITY
Common sense.
It does nothing for the consumer (because you'd assume Dell employees would have Dell servers)...and even if a consumer caught a glimpse of it, all I saw at first was a huge black and bold "DELL".
That is another proof (of known fact) that it is much easier to hack the open sourced then the proprietary application.
But the opposite is also true...it's a proof that it's much easier to debug open sourced applications.
We definitely look at security technologies in OSS in general, including Linux...
Free debugging for their stole^H^H^H^H^Hborrow^H^H^H^H^H^Hlicen^H^H^H^Htop notch code.