Has anyone noticed that "Tomorrowland" in Disneyland is starting to looking like, well, yesterday? Many of the attractions are either outdated (Astro Orbitor), closed down (RocketRods), or just altogether too plain (Innoventions). Space Mountain is great for thrill seekers and my personal favorite, but wasn't Tommorrowland supposed to show off the crazy inventions of the future?
Yesterland is a good place to see all the old, semi-forgotten attractions that seemed ahead of its time. Anyone remember those hovercraft bumper cars?.
Plus, Disney's got plenty of room to play around with right now. The old CircleVision attraction, the building right across from Star Tours, has been closed for a while and just sits there, probably only being used for storage. And whatever happened to those submarines in the lake?
Disney, take heed! Don't just devote an attraction to the newest technologies. The industry moves too fast these days to keep up. Instead, why not show mock-ups of these sorts of retro-tractions? I can think of a ton of cool interactive exhibits they could produce (think Jetsons), even with their cost-cutting mantra of recent. Now if only they'd bring back those RocketRods!
Western Union currently has a similar service, BidPay, which is a rather reasonable way to pay online auction sellers and the like. The site automates the process of making and sending a money order, complete with e-mail notification of not only when the order was processed but also shipped out via snail mail. I know it's not purely digital, but it better than nothing!
Yesterday I plugged my note-taking laptop into the network during class for, uh, 'research' and found out about Folding@Home from Google. It was working pretty well until my computer's turbo-charged fan turned on midway through a lecture. After some rocket launch comments comments from the professor, now he thinks I'm playing some cpu-intensive games and not paying attention. At least before I had the benefit of a doubt.
For all those case modders who are looking for something bigger to tinker with, why not build your own DeLorean? Chicks dig it, you can show it off around town easily, plus you've already got the modding experience needed to build a mock Flux Capacitor!
Persoanlly I'd go straight to the source and buy mine from the Delorean Motor Company. Of course, us poor college students can't afford anything more than Ramen noodles, so I'll stick with this.
If the technically superior format always loses, then why did ISA beat Microchannel? Why did DVD beat DIVX?
The "technically superior" format hasn't really lost unless you're referring only to the general public. Alomst every business in the video industry has a professional Betamax camera and/or tape deck due to its superior broadcast quality and its compatibility with other video-related businesses.
Since when did Sony ever make ANY of their formats a 'standard'? They've tried to bully the marketplace in many instances to advance their own proprietary formats, albiet sucessfully or a complete failure. Just look at a handful of their current & previous formats:
Super Audio CD Digital8 Memory Stick MiniDisc Betamax
Actually of all the universities, Cal State Northridge has the largest porn collection in the nation, mainly due to its location near the porn capital of the USA - Chadsworth, CA. Most of their stuff comes from the Vern and Bonnie Bullough Collection, which was donated a while back.
Be forewarned, these are part of a special collection on "Human Sexuality" and can't be checked out the library. I don't think you can even browse the collection without requesting permission, but it's nice to know there's a larger collection of porn in comparison to what's under your bed.
Does anyone know if Apple has a deal with AOL(TW) over the use of AOL Instant Messenger? Or will they just get kicked off the service like so many that have tried before? I personally would like to see the end of the messenger shoot-off and have AIM-compatibility all around.
This perhaps is a better question to ask. On one hand, cable tv is ubiquitous, yet there are plenty of television owners who depend on broadcast VHF and UHF stations. Yes, this is only a limited amount of the UHF band, this might be a precursor to more UHF bands, let alone any current wireless/broadcast channels, being overtaken. Later on, we might find ourselves completely dissolving of old but useful technologies just because some techie bureaucrats want a monopoly of their product.
Why can't we create a technology that uses the UHF bands without television interference? History has shown that modifying technology to accommodate backwards compatibility gives way to a successful alternative to both sides. DSL still lets you talk on the phone while you surf, CD's still work in DVD players, and people with black and white tv's can watch a color broadcast (in B&W mind you) without modifying their sets.
All or nothing technologies have prevailed before, but in some regards, it's a lot easier on the consumer if accommodations to current technologies are made.
I remember thinking a while back, "Why spend all that dough when you can borrow your friend's CD-R?" Back in the day, they were used a lot for copying mp3's, videos and backup utility purposes. But with the DVD-R, as salivating as it sounds, it's just not feasible to have that much stuff to copy for the average home user. Until a home market is really built up, prices are going to stay where they are.
The Apple is trying to push DVD-R technology with iDVD and DVD-R's on their new iMacs. I'm hope this helps drive the demand higher and the cost lower, because arguably Apple tends to be a trend setter, if not just creating fads.
After finishing my first year at college, I have come to know and love the following items:
$10 in Quarters - I know they don't go as far as they used to, but that will get me through 8 loads of laundry, two months for women and almost a semester for guys (unless you keep meeting that HOT chick at the laundromat!) Don't forget they also save you in a pinch for those late-night snack cravings, parking meters, and condom dispensers. Which brings me to...
Condoms - Honestly, you never know when or where it might happen, but I've had moments where the only reason I didn't get laid was because I lacked the latex. Seriously, if you don't have as much self-control as I did, get a 3 or 6 pack. Speaking of 6 packs...
Red Bull - This little wonder has saved my ass so many frickin' times, it's unbelievable! Whether you need to pull an all-nighter or finish a last minute paper, just pop open some of that 'Liquid Schwartz' and you'll be on your feet in no time. Get them a 6 pack as well, because you never expect an emergency. Along with emergencies...
Obligatory Posters - Every college student is required by law to a poster depicting beer, drugs, sex, The Simpsons, guitar tabs, and/or that Maxell guy being blown away by his speakers. Movie posters are as must as well. While we're on the subject of pirated material...
CD-R's - It doesn't matter if you have a CD burner or not, someone else will. Combine that with the fact that every dorm room in America has ethernet jacks, you're bound to either find the perfect mix for your car or simply run out of hard drive space. You're bound to run into a situation where a CD-R will be required on the spot, I guarantee it. And lastly to broadcast these situations, you'll need a...
Web Cam - They're cheap, subversive, and a helluva lot of fun when you're drunk. 'Nuff said.
That's about all I can think of for subversive, legal gifts. Other non-subversive but greatly needed gifts include things like a personal fan, duct tape, tape (memo) recorder, cordless phone, sandals, wall clock, and AA batteries. Also, the new 'in' thing to have is a George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine, but for now I'll stick with my Mini-Me Microwave.
So they've created a version of Windows without some of the bloat. Great. But can't we do this ourselves?
If the states are able to create a modular version of Windows from what's already available, why hasn't someone already done this and distributed it on the web? This would most likely create a crippling effect for Microsoft in numerous ways. The obvious would be that they'd get REAL pissed off, but that's only a side effect. One trend that could be started is an underground revolution of sorts, where we create our own Windows distributions, passing it on to our friends and co-workers. This could possibly lead to the furthur development of projects like WINE and just disecting those stupid API's. Plus, if we do manage to pull off a stable Windows (yeah, I know, oxymoron alert), revenue spent on Windows tech support from computer manufacturers could possibly be redirected towards making a higher quality and/or cheaper product. Not to mention it would stop your parents from bugging you to come visit, mainly because their computer keeps freezing up.
Just imagine, perhaps one day you'll hear yourself saying, "Back in my day, we had a BSOD every day and a GPF every hour..."
Actually, I believe a new line of videogame processing chips are in the works to compete with Microsoft's X-Box. Tenatively called the "Gamer's Super Processor of Tomorrow," it should have mind-boggling effect for anyone and everyone who plays around with it.
Rumor has it that "help guides" will be available to men as well...
It very well could. I've discussed this with an employee of AOL Time-Warner, and employees who receive e-mail accounts must check their email using the AOL client. Most of their workstations could use Linux very easily, resulting in more stability and productivity, but in my branch, every single one to my knowledge has some form of Windows installed on it. Why? Because the AOL client will not run on any other x86 platform. Sure, they can still check our mail through AOLMail, but then they can't save their e-mail or bookmark it for later. Netscape 6, although a great solution for both e-mail and gecko, cannot access the proprietary AOL content we normally can through the client.
By releasing a Linux or Unix version of the AOL client, a transition to Linux would be more feasible. Plus, current employees would be less opposed to the change because they would not have to switch over to a foreign interface. (Face it, although there are some great advances in Gnome and KDE, the average post-Windows user is still going to look for the exact same icons on the start menu and the taskbar.) Microsoft would have a fit, but then again, they throw a tantrum if you've activated WinXP too many times.
Of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Right. And the only reason we're interested in Monty Python is because of the Spam Sketch. Or the similarly named programming language.
No, no, no, we love Wallace and Gromit alongside Monty Python because it hits a certain geeky funnybone in all of us. Encorperating everything from a dog rewiring remote control trousers to those infamous minute details of mice wearing sunglasses, it really cannot go unnoticed.
Plus if you think about it, "A Close Shave" could indirectly depict some of the dotcom wars around here (think of Wendy as Microsoft's PR and her robot dog as the rest of the company).
Slashdot Mirror
Yesterland is a good place to see all the old, semi-forgotten attractions that seemed ahead of its time. Anyone remember those hovercraft bumper cars?.
Plus, Disney's got plenty of room to play around with right now. The old CircleVision attraction, the building right across from Star Tours, has been closed for a while and just sits there, probably only being used for storage. And whatever happened to those submarines in the lake?
Disney, take heed! Don't just devote an attraction to the newest technologies. The industry moves too fast these days to keep up. Instead, why not show mock-ups of these sorts of retro-tractions? I can think of a ton of cool interactive exhibits they could produce (think Jetsons), even with their cost-cutting mantra of recent. Now if only they'd bring back those RocketRods!
-Mr. Fusion
She sure was a good ship.
Farewell, Pioneer. And we thank you.
-Mr. Fusion
Am I the only one to wonder if he makes minimum wage?
-Mr. Fusion
Anyone remember the window projection screen in "Back to the Future II"? It was in the alternate 1985 at Marty McFly's future Hilldale home:
GRANDMA LORRAINE: I can't believe this window is
still broken.
(She channel surfs through an Eastern garden,
a sunset, New York nightscape, etc.)
MARLENE: Well, when the scene screen repairman
called Daddy a chicken, Daddy threw him out of
the house and now we can't get anybody to fix it.
GRANDMA LORRAINE: Look how worn out this thing is!
(She lifts up the screen and reveals the window
behind, whose only view is the dilapidated brick
wall inches away.)
-Mr. Fusion
You mean Slashdotters get laid?
-Mr. Fusion
Could you debug any worse?
Oh wait, I left my compiler in my other jacket.
And don't get me started on how many times it quit smoking.
-Mr. Fusion
*steps on red ant mound*
-Mr. Fusion
Yeah, but then the Click of Death takes on a WHOLE new meaning.
-Mr. Fusion
Mr. Fusion
Yesterday I plugged my note-taking laptop into the network during class for, uh, 'research' and found out about Folding@Home from Google. It was working pretty well until my computer's turbo-charged fan turned on midway through a lecture. After some rocket launch comments comments from the professor, now he thinks I'm playing some cpu-intensive games and not paying attention. At least before I had the benefit of a doubt.
-Mr. Fusion
Persoanlly I'd go straight to the source and buy mine from the Delorean Motor Company. Of course, us poor college students can't afford anything more than Ramen noodles, so I'll stick with this.
-Mr. Fusion
The "technically superior" format hasn't really lost unless you're referring only to the general public. Alomst every business in the video industry has a professional Betamax camera and/or tape deck due to its superior broadcast quality and its compatibility with other video-related businesses.
-Mr. Fusion
Since when did Sony ever make ANY of their formats a 'standard'? They've tried to bully the marketplace in many instances to advance their own proprietary formats, albiet sucessfully or a complete failure. Just look at a handful of their current & previous formats:
Super Audio CD
Digital8
Memory Stick
MiniDisc
Betamax
-Mr. Fusion
Be forewarned, these are part of a special collection on "Human Sexuality" and can't be checked out the library. I don't think you can even browse the collection without requesting permission, but it's nice to know there's a larger collection of porn in comparison to what's under your bed.
-Mr. Fusion
Does anyone know if Apple has a deal with AOL(TW) over the use of AOL Instant Messenger? Or will they just get kicked off the service like so many that have tried before? I personally would like to see the end of the messenger shoot-off and have AIM-compatibility all around.
-Mr. Fusion
This perhaps is a better question to ask. On one hand, cable tv is ubiquitous, yet there are plenty of television owners who depend on broadcast VHF and UHF stations. Yes, this is only a limited amount of the UHF band, this might be a precursor to more UHF bands, let alone any current wireless/broadcast channels, being overtaken. Later on, we might find ourselves completely dissolving of old but useful technologies just because some techie bureaucrats want a monopoly of their product.
Why can't we create a technology that uses the UHF bands without television interference? History has shown that modifying technology to accommodate backwards compatibility gives way to a successful alternative to both sides. DSL still lets you talk on the phone while you surf, CD's still work in DVD players, and people with black and white tv's can watch a color broadcast (in B&W mind you) without modifying their sets.
All or nothing technologies have prevailed before, but in some regards, it's a lot easier on the consumer if accommodations to current technologies are made.
-Mr. Fusion
I remember thinking a while back, "Why spend all that dough when you can borrow your friend's CD-R?" Back in the day, they were used a lot for copying mp3's, videos and backup utility purposes. But with the DVD-R, as salivating as it sounds, it's just not feasible to have that much stuff to copy for the average home user. Until a home market is really built up, prices are going to stay where they are.
The Apple is trying to push DVD-R technology with iDVD and DVD-R's on their new iMacs. I'm hope this helps drive the demand higher and the cost lower, because arguably Apple tends to be a trend setter, if not just creating fads.
-Mr. Fusion
You forgot to include 'subversive'.
-Mr. Fusion
After finishing my first year at college, I have come to know and love the following items:
$10 in Quarters - I know they don't go as far as they used to, but that will get me through 8 loads of laundry, two months for women and almost a semester for guys (unless you keep meeting that HOT chick at the laundromat!) Don't forget they also save you in a pinch for those late-night snack cravings, parking meters, and condom dispensers. Which brings me to...
Condoms - Honestly, you never know when or where it might happen, but I've had moments where the only reason I didn't get laid was because I lacked the latex. Seriously, if you don't have as much self-control as I did, get a 3 or 6 pack. Speaking of 6 packs...
Red Bull - This little wonder has saved my ass so many frickin' times, it's unbelievable! Whether you need to pull an all-nighter or finish a last minute paper, just pop open some of that 'Liquid Schwartz' and you'll be on your feet in no time. Get them a 6 pack as well, because you never expect an emergency. Along with emergencies...
Obligatory Posters - Every college student is required by law to a poster depicting beer, drugs, sex, The Simpsons, guitar tabs, and/or that Maxell guy being blown away by his speakers. Movie posters are as must as well. While we're on the subject of pirated material...
CD-R's - It doesn't matter if you have a CD burner or not, someone else will. Combine that with the fact that every dorm room in America has ethernet jacks, you're bound to either find the perfect mix for your car or simply run out of hard drive space. You're bound to run into a situation where a CD-R will be required on the spot, I guarantee it. And lastly to broadcast these situations, you'll need a...
Web Cam - They're cheap, subversive, and a helluva lot of fun when you're drunk. 'Nuff said.
That's about all I can think of for subversive, legal gifts. Other non-subversive but greatly needed gifts include things like a personal fan, duct tape, tape (memo) recorder, cordless phone, sandals, wall clock, and AA batteries. Also, the new 'in' thing to have is a George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine, but for now I'll stick with my Mini-Me Microwave.
-Mr. Fusion
Somebody please mirror these mp3's, I have one of those icky feelings at the moment that these will be ./ed in no time.
So they've created a version of Windows without some of the bloat. Great. But can't we do this ourselves?
If the states are able to create a modular version of Windows from what's already available, why hasn't someone already done this and distributed it on the web? This would most likely create a crippling effect for Microsoft in numerous ways. The obvious would be that they'd get REAL pissed off, but that's only a side effect. One trend that could be started is an underground revolution of sorts, where we create our own Windows distributions, passing it on to our friends and co-workers. This could possibly lead to the furthur development of projects like WINE and just disecting those stupid API's. Plus, if we do manage to pull off a stable Windows (yeah, I know, oxymoron alert), revenue spent on Windows tech support from computer manufacturers could possibly be redirected towards making a higher quality and/or cheaper product. Not to mention it would stop your parents from bugging you to come visit, mainly because their computer keeps freezing up.
Just imagine, perhaps one day you'll hear yourself saying, "Back in my day, we had a BSOD every day and a GPF every hour..."
Actually, I believe a new line of videogame processing chips are in the works to compete with Microsoft's X-Box. Tenatively called the "Gamer's Super Processor of Tomorrow," it should have mind-boggling effect for anyone and everyone who plays around with it.
Rumor has it that "help guides" will be available to men as well...
By releasing a Linux or Unix version of the AOL client, a transition to Linux would be more feasible. Plus, current employees would be less opposed to the change because they would not have to switch over to a foreign interface. (Face it, although there are some great advances in Gnome and KDE, the average post-Windows user is still going to look for the exact same icons on the start menu and the taskbar.) Microsoft would have a fit, but then again, they throw a tantrum if you've activated WinXP too many times.
Of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Anyone actually explore the rest of his site and find his own version of Slashdot, Afrodot.org, on there?
No, no, no, we love Wallace and Gromit alongside Monty Python because it hits a certain geeky funnybone in all of us. Encorperating everything from a dog rewiring remote control trousers to those infamous minute details of mice wearing sunglasses, it really cannot go unnoticed.
Plus if you think about it, "A Close Shave" could indirectly depict some of the dotcom wars around here (think of Wendy as Microsoft's PR and her robot dog as the rest of the company).