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User: Smallpond

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Comments · 1,709

  1. Re:What Could Possibly Go Wrong? on NASA Considers Putting an Asteroid Into Orbit Around the Moon · · Score: 1

    Sometimes, it doesn't matter how small the probability for disaster is. If the potential disaster is large enough, then it just shouldn't be done. I'm thinking that this is one of those things.

    Hence why it will be in orbit around the moon instead of the Earth.

  2. Re:Day-um! on French ISP Blocking Web Ads By Default · · Score: 2

    Ad-supported content sites can start blocking requests from free.fr pretty easily. Not sure how long this will last.

  3. Re:Government failed to convert on USMA: Going the Extra Kilometer For Metrication · · Score: 1

    Good point. I'm not converting as long as a 2 x 4 is exactly 2 inches by 4 inches.

  4. Re:Grub? on Free Software Foundation Campaigning To Stop UEFI SecureBoot · · Score: 1

    member != developer

  5. Re:Therewhile ... on World's Longest High-Speed Rail Line Opens In China · · Score: 1

    I think there's something like 5 current HSR projects and the bulk of the money is going to Amtrak for cars and locomotives .The railroads only get track and signaling improvements where the passenger service will run.

  6. Re:Raspberry Pi on Ask Slashdot: Linux-Friendly Motherboard Manufacturers? · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Intel has stopped giving out information on memory management configuration like EDAC, and is pushing EFI BIOS control. If you want to own your PC instead of licensing it from Intel it's better to use an AMD processor. Intel NICs are still good though.

  7. Re:I'm confused on Pirate Radio Station In Florida Jams Automotive Electronics · · Score: 1

    I don't understand. 104.7 FM is a part of the spectrum allocated for radio broadcast. Why was that interfering with keyless entry systems? Is this just an issue of too much power?

    Such pirate transmitters are typically built as cheap as possible. Such things as filtering carrier harmonics don't tend to feature in the design. Pirates with two brain cells to rub together tend to assume that their hardware will be quickly found and confiscated. Thus are more likely to spend money on having multiple "hot spare" transmitters than having one half decent one.

    Radio transmitters tend to be pretty good on emitted frequency.. The things that are cheaply made are cars. I'd bet the filter on the door lock receiver is not blocking enough of the radio signal to prevent interference. Keyless entry is in the 300-400 MHz range so only 3-4 times the frequency.

  8. Re:Passed by a Democrat controlled congress in 200 on Senate Renews Warrantless Eavesdropping Act · · Score: 1

    I'm trying to find a roll call on the amendment but I don't think it's up yet. Here's what I found:
    http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d112:5:./temp/~bdPthc::#locshare/share

    Thomas makes it hard to link, so if this doesn't work its Senate amendment 3438

  9. Re:Go Go Alma Mater on Jury Hits Marvell With $1 Billion+ Fine Over CMU Patents · · Score: 4, Informative

    Its pretty clear that Techdirt didn't actually read the patents and just took Marvell's word that it covers the same thing. Read them.
    Also, they are wrong that CMU didn't offer to license. They pursued a license for two years. Maybe its you who are the troll.

  10. Re:Go Go Alma Mater on Jury Hits Marvell With $1 Billion+ Fine Over CMU Patents · · Score: 4, Informative

    Did they just buy the patent? Nope - it was invented at CMU. Are they involved in lots of litigation? Nope - search for "CMU sues" and you come up with Central Michgan Univ, not CMU. Did they offer to license it on reasonable terms? Yes - Marvell refused.

    Doesn't sound like a troll to me.

  11. Re:Therewhile ... on World's Longest High-Speed Rail Line Opens In China · · Score: 0

    Not sure I understand the difference between a tax credit and a tax exception. In neither case is the government giving money to a recipient, just not collecting tax that would be otherwise due. Can you explain why you call one a subsidy and not the other?

  12. Re:Meanwhile in the US... on World's Longest High-Speed Rail Line Opens In China · · Score: 3, Informative

    The Acela cost ~$2B and generates $500M/year in revenue. Its been running since 1999 and is successful because it has downtown terminals in Boston, New York and Washington. Also because it runs on existing right-of-way with some track upgrades. Business class New York to Boston is $107 and takes 4 hours which is about the same time as air travel + 2 airport shuttles + groping. So if you choose the right location, it works. However, nothing I've seen about the California plan suggests they are choosing the right location.

  13. Re:Therewhile ... on World's Longest High-Speed Rail Line Opens In China · · Score: 1

    Automobile and air travel are subsidized with public money to build roads and provide air traffic services (and security). The only significant public money going to railroads is to build crossings for car traffic. If politicians were looking for fuel efficiency and cost savings instead of the flashiest most vote-getting programs they would be investing in rail.

  14. Cemented? on World's Longest High-Speed Rail Line Opens In China · · Score: 1

    No. They tied it. China, long a sleeper in technology is now siding with the West in new developments. This will signal a switch to new railroad advances.

  15. Re:Meanwhile in the US... on World's Longest High-Speed Rail Line Opens In China · · Score: 1

    China just connects cities with theirs. We connect cornfields with ours.

  16. Re:Government goes with lowest cost on Lockheed, SpaceX Trade Barbs · · Score: 1

    Worse than the Osprey?

  17. Re:Progress! on Lockheed, SpaceX Trade Barbs · · Score: 4, Informative

    According to a federal report, you are paying $839 and adding 125 pounds for a much safer car than you had 25 years ago, so yes. People are willing to pay more for safety.

    I don't think ULA prices being 10X have anything to do with more safety, I think its mostly more overhead and lack of competition.

  18. Re:By not using SSH on Lax SSH Key Management A "Big Problem" · · Score: 1

    What will you do after your office closes due to being less productive than other workplaces?

  19. Re:A real shame on EFF Looks At How Blasphemy Laws Have Stifled Speech in 2012 · · Score: 1

    I think I see Godwin lurking just around the corner.

  20. Passwordless login on Lax SSH Key Management A "Big Problem" · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've just noticed a huge vulnerability in keyless entry on cars - you can open the door without a key!

    ** just so we don't have a story without a car analogy **

  21. Re:No. on Has 3D Film-Making Had Its Day? · · Score: 1

    Nor will it EVER have its day until there is a real 3D display system.

    Now, stereoscopic filmmaking may be over, but that's hardly 3D except in the eyes of the bewildered.

    I guarantee you, when a 3D production can be made, distributed and enjoyed, the day of 3D will begin, and it isn't likely to *ever* go back to 2D (or the pale imitation that is stereoscopy.)

    Also, happy solstice + 3. I wish you a suitably bacchanalian event, complete with frolicking, consensual partner of your choice.

    Eh? People don't have 3D vision, they have stereoscopic vision. You see two scenes projected onto two 2D surfaces (your retines). Hence, the movies are pretty well matched to your vision system.

  22. Re:A clear example of how lobbying hurts everyone on The New Ethanol Blend May Damage Your Vehicle · · Score: 1

    This will only happen once a suitable alternative is found to keep running old vehicles. Washington isn't about to mandate a fuel 95% of car owners can't use. We had the same arguments when lead fuel was eliminated. Actually the very same "Oh but what about my '69 Mustang" arguments.

    Well here we are today, no lead in the fuel and a small additive on the market for owners of vehicles which required leaded gas.

    Not just older vehicles. E-15 should also not be used in new motorcycles, lawnmowers, chain saws, ATVs and light-duty trucks. Anything not covered by auto regulations in 2001 to make engines more alcohol-safe.

  23. Re:Pinebrow bouldvard forest avenue on New York Paper Uses Public Records To Publish Gun-Owner Map · · Score: 1

    I remember looking at a voter turnout map. One county had a very high population but almost no poll responses or voters. Turned out to be where the prison was located.

  24. Re:So... Question, on New York Paper Uses Public Records To Publish Gun-Owner Map · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Columbine and Newtown school shootings were both with legally acquired guns in the wrong hands. Robberies and drug deal shootings frequently use illegal (hence less traceable) guns.

  25. Re:Good Grief. on Coral Reefs In Grave Danger, Say Climate Simulations · · Score: 1

    The broadcasters are required to keep track of political airtime sold or donated. The FCC enforces public access to this file. Broadcaster mind control is all covered in the 1983 documentary "Videodrome" (James Woods, Debbie Harry).