Slashdot Mirror


User: kodiaktau

kodiaktau's activity in the archive.

Stories
0
Comments
60
First seen
Last seen
Profile
(view on slashdot.org)

Comments · 60

  1. Wired on Simulated Mars Mission 'Returns' After 520 Days · · Score: 1

    Wired's article in this last month was ok on the subject. This is really to see how some human lab rats can handle extended periods in a tank together. Funny thing is that there are others who have done this in space for longer with and without other humans.

  2. And Siri takes a dive today on Siri Gives Apple Two Year Advantage Over Android · · Score: 1

    Not sure I want to talk to my phone. More importantly I don't want to _have_ to be on the network to allow some app to always be connected. BTW: Siri users experienced a nice little outage today. http://venturebeat.com/2011/11/03/siri-outage/

  3. I know the answer to the first sheet! on DARPA: Reconstruct Shredded Docs, Win $50K USD · · Score: 1

    The answer to the first sheet is as easy as grabbing your Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring! It says, "Remember to drink your Ovaltine!"

  4. FUN on DARPA: Reconstruct Shredded Docs, Win $50K USD · · Score: 2

    This actually looks like a ton of fun. After looking at the basic documents they tried to put other indirection in the images like color levels that really need to be sorted before the actual shredding issue is resolved. There is a mix of up/down and useless data on the page, but the ligatures seem consistent on the images - brute force on the first page is probably the most cost effective solution - the others seem to be order of magnitude problems. The reality of this being "shredded" solution is probably a real-life problem in disguise like a transmitted scrambled image problem or connecting/stitching problem.

  5. Ooops on Jaguar Recalls 18,000 Cars Over Major Software Fault · · Score: 1

    Sorry, test first design apparently isn't part of the Jaguar model. They do, however offer "Safety and Security" through a comprehensive range of sophisticated safety systems", which apparently don't include cruise control. It seems unconscionable to think that there would not be a safety mechanism that could override the rest - brakes has always been the default for this type of issue.

  6. pWhere have all the good ones gone? on John McCarthy, Discoverer of Lisp, Has Passed Away · · Score: 1

    Seems like all the language gurus we studied are all passing away. *sigh* pMaybe it is time to drag out an old compiler and run some Lisp in his honor.

  7. Re:Sprint Cost Saving Cuts and Fees on Sprint Cutting Unlimited 4G Data Plans · · Score: 1

    Really - I hate Sprint. It used to be the best company but as you mentioned they have thrown out all of the differentiators. The business lost its focus on customers and superior service. I am thinking that throw-away phones might be a better solution when my contracts come up.

  8. Re:Alternative to Redbox for older films? on Netflix Kills Qwikster · · Score: 1

    Agreed. Libraries, friends and other retail outlets have tons of these older movies for a lot less than a month rental of Netflix. For the folks in rural areas there are no really good options. Sometimes we are lucky enough to live in a local loop, but in most cases you use dial-up or some Verizon card to get access to the internet. Physical access to media is the only way to overcome these situations.

  9. YO YO on Netflix Kills Qwikster · · Score: 1

    What a terrible group of leaders Netflix has. I was a customer for a total of 48 hours because they changed the price on me overnight and sent me a nice email about the change. Screw Netflix. As long as it can maintain machines and relevant titles, Redbox will end up eating their lunch anyhow.

  10. Fear on DHS Goes Ahead With 'Pre-Crime' Detection Project · · Score: 1

    Fear is a really useful tool, especially in controlling information. Imagine if you will what fuckery could be accomplished under these circumstances, never mind the Minority Report crap. Think for a minute about who is controlling this information and the processes around it. This is in direct violation of our constitutional rights and more importantly our human rights. Do I want murderers, rapists or terrorist walking the streets? Heck no - but I am unwilling to segregate a population simply because I *think* they will do something bad. On the political side, I have to say there are no real checks and balances of the DHS and it needs to be stopped, chopped up and shut down. From a more important and ethical perspective, this is a point where technology is being used not for good, but for questionable purposes.