I know this is off-topic, forgive me. But it seems like a good time to bring this up.
If we are to spend hundreds of millions, maybe billions, of dollars in a multi-decade endeavor in name of science and profit, why not build a space elevator. The project isn't ready to begin yet, since we currently can't produce carbon nanotubes in sufficient quantity or quality, but with the research might of NASA and the heightened awareness of the goal we could create get a head start at the next space race. After which, the cost for all other space initiatives would be greatly reduced. The long term economic benefits of building the first space elevator could possibly outweigh the initial research and construction costs.
Yes, conservatives are for reduced government. The true believers want government to be as minimal as possible and let the market, the public, and more localized governments decide the fate of their communities. These ideas adhere to the principal of decentralization. Decentralization, when applied to government agencies like NASA, (IMO) doesn't fit well with the scope, and complexity of the goals they are trying to accomplish.
Sending people to Mars? Building a base on the Moon? Science fiction right; so was a blue sky on mars until recently. These goals require the cooperation of brilliant minds, scarce resources, and political clout. IMO only the big $ from the government can gather these for projects that do not have any short term profitability in addition to staggering costs.
However, the centralized nature of NASA has exposed the problems of inefficiency, bureaucracy, and irresponsibility. In seems to me that in every case where a small panel of people control the use of a lot of money, bureaucracy becomes a hindrance more that a benefit. Not only to the progress of your end product, but also to the quality and timeliness of the product.
From the original post: "The 24 inch square panel emits 1200 lumens with a power consumption of about 80 watts - on par with today's incandescent bulbs...The ultimate goal is a cheap, flexible display and lighting technology that can function with an efficiency of 100 lumens per watt."
My wife loves this game. It's the first game she's played on a modern console. It's gone a long way to have her see my PS2 as more than a DVD player and huge timewaster. She has told me that if the sequel is good she intends to buy it.
The cartoonish style of Sly Cooper really appeals to her. She thinks the game is funny and cute.
Have you gone to your local library lately. Chances are, they will have computers that have internet acces but are locked down pretty tight. I am able to view internet news, apply for jobs, and chat all through the Library's computer lab. And its free, I don't even have a library card.
If I were to go to the local interent cafe/gaming center I'd have to pay $5/hr. That's reason enough to make me look for alternatives.
Trillian is a great IM app because of its ability to incorporate MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, and IRC chat networks. They also have a great skin in Microscopic.
I've needed to update it once in a year due to changes to MSN. But its been pretty dependable
I've always believed that IT wouldn't sustain an entire career for me. So I've worked up a contingency plan:
Work till I'm forty, teach the rest of my life. I know by that time I'll want to pursue what REALLY is important to me, giving back. And besides, I'll be fired due to age discrimination anyway.
So...why should I get this
on
KDE 3.0 is Out
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
There has been a lot of discussion about KDE 3.0 here, but I haven't found one bit about why 3.0 is better than 2.0.
Heck, I can't even find that on KDE's site.
They'll probably have that up soon. Can someone fill me in on why 3.0 is a must-have.
Dreamcast: buy a system for about $150, download the games for free.
Nintendo 64: After you buy a memory pack, three other controllers, a few memory packs Zelda, Perfect Dark, Goldeneye, Super Smash Bros, and a few other games are really fun.
PlayStation2: About $300 bucks gets you a DVD player, CD player, and the ability to play playstation 1 and 2 games. The cost is about right for all that. Of course its potential won't be realized this year but next year will give us a better look.
Xbox: PC Components in a "console" and Microsoft's Marketing Department's wet dream.
That's Great! That's Excellent!...
on
Mozilla M4 is Out
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· Score: 1
This is not a pointless browser upgrade. This is following the phylosophy of release quickly and release often. And if you'd take the time to look at the release notes provided you'd see everything that has been done and what is planned to be done for the next milestone.
Slashdot Mirror
I know this is off-topic, forgive me. But it seems like a good time to bring this up.
If we are to spend hundreds of millions, maybe billions, of dollars in a multi-decade endeavor in name of science and profit, why not build a space elevator. The project isn't ready to begin yet, since we currently can't produce carbon nanotubes in sufficient quantity or quality, but with the research might of NASA and the heightened awareness of the goal we could create get a head start at the next space race. After which, the cost for all other space initiatives would be greatly reduced. The long term economic benefits of building the first space elevator could possibly outweigh the initial research and construction costs.
At the upcoming conference on the topic of space elevators, scientists will discuss the logistical, engineering, and political issues.
Yes, conservatives are for reduced government. The true believers want government to be as minimal as possible and let the market, the public, and more localized governments decide the fate of their communities. These ideas adhere to the principal of decentralization. Decentralization, when applied to government agencies like NASA, (IMO) doesn't fit well with the scope, and complexity of the goals they are trying to accomplish.
Sending people to Mars? Building a base on the Moon? Science fiction right; so was a blue sky on mars until recently. These goals require the cooperation of brilliant minds, scarce resources, and political clout. IMO only the big $ from the government can gather these for projects that do not have any short term profitability in addition to staggering costs.
However, the centralized nature of NASA has exposed the problems of inefficiency, bureaucracy, and irresponsibility. In seems to me that in every case where a small panel of people control the use of a lot of money, bureaucracy becomes a hindrance more that a benefit. Not only to the progress of your end product, but also to the quality and timeliness of the product.
From the original post: "The 24 inch square panel emits 1200 lumens with a power consumption of about 80 watts - on par with today's incandescent bulbs...The ultimate goal is a cheap, flexible display and lighting technology that can function with an efficiency of 100 lumens per watt."
1200 lumens / 80 watts = 15 lumens per watt
Have they met their goal?
My wife loves this game. It's the first game she's played on a modern console. It's gone a long way to have her see my PS2 as more than a DVD player and huge timewaster. She has told me that if the sequel is good she intends to buy it.
The cartoonish style of Sly Cooper really appeals to her. She thinks the game is funny and cute.
Have you gone to your local library lately. Chances are, they will have computers that have internet acces but are locked down pretty tight. I am able to view internet news, apply for jobs, and chat all through the Library's computer lab. And its free, I don't even have a library card.
If I were to go to the local interent cafe/gaming center I'd have to pay $5/hr. That's reason enough to make me look for alternatives.
Are the screenshots for KDE 3.1.x comparable to how 3.2 looks like?
Trillian is a great IM app because of its ability to incorporate MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, and IRC chat networks. They also have a great skin in Microscopic.
I've needed to update it once in a year due to changes to MSN. But its been pretty dependable
Does anyone have some Longhorn screenshot's of Gates' presentation?
I am axiously awaiting news of their grid computing initiatives. I was hoping that would be released today. What news of it do you have?
I've always believed that IT wouldn't sustain an entire career for me. So I've worked up a contingency plan:
Work till I'm forty, teach the rest of my life. I know by that time I'll want to pursue what REALLY is important to me, giving back. And besides, I'll be fired due to age discrimination anyway.
There has been a lot of discussion about KDE 3.0 here, but I haven't found one bit about why 3.0 is better than 2.0.
Heck, I can't even find that on KDE's site.
They'll probably have that up soon. Can someone fill me in on why 3.0 is a must-have.
Yea, I was thinking about that too.
Now all we need to do is create a program with creativity and wait for a particular giften kid.
(in alphabetical order)
Dreamcast: buy a system for about $150, download the games for free.
Nintendo 64: After you buy a memory pack, three other controllers, a few memory packs Zelda, Perfect Dark, Goldeneye, Super Smash Bros, and a few other games are really fun.
PlayStation2: About $300 bucks gets you a DVD player, CD player, and the ability to play playstation 1 and 2 games. The cost is about right for all that. Of course its potential won't be realized this year but next year will give us a better look.
Xbox: PC Components in a "console" and Microsoft's Marketing Department's wet dream.
This is not a pointless browser upgrade. This is following the phylosophy of release quickly and release often. And if you'd take the time to look at the release notes provided you'd see everything that has been done and what is planned to be done for the next milestone.