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User: ksheff

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  1. Re:There are no analogue networks left in Europe.. on Cell Phones - Analog vs. Digital · · Score: 1

    Dont you have pay as you go (pre paid) plans?

    Yes. I have AT&T prepaid cell phone that I pay $0.10/minute. As long as I keep adding funds to the account every 45 days, the time that I've paid for never goes away. I don't have to worry about contracts, credit history, and it is cheaper per month than most wireless plans.

  2. Re:The best bedroom... on Making Your Bedroom a Sanctum from Technology? · · Score: 1

    I sleep in a recliner because it's more comfortable than my bed.

  3. Re:Market for these Devices? on Assorted CES Gizmos · · Score: 1

    Atomic time would be useful, but for me, that's about it. There are lots of other watches that do that and the service is FREE. I'm not a stock market speculator, so I have no need to be constantly checking prices or sports scores for that matter.

  4. Re:Reality check on Mac vs. PC: Digital Video Editing Comparison · · Score: 1

    If you are benchmarking a program, you shouldn't have anything else running in the background except the bare minimum for the OS. There is always some overhead, due to the hardware design and with the OS that will make an SMP machine slightly slower on a per cpu basis. UP machines don't have to share and be polite. =) That's why you often see multi cpu intensive benchmarks showing an Nx speedup for each cpu added where N is less than 1.0. The goal for the hardware and OS people is to try to get that as close to 1.0 as possible. For me, an easy benchmark that shows this is seti. I've run it on a UP machine w/o anything else (ok, init and some kernel level stuff) and it will be slightly faster than a single copy running on a SMP machine with everything the same except an additional matched CPU. I think Tom's Hardware or a similar site had an example of where turning off HyperThreading sped up the app being tested. But you're correct for everyday use where people are actually running several apps at once and have a few services running in the back ground. The cpu bound program is going to dominate one processor and the load balancer will execute the rest on the other processor(s).

  5. Re:Reality check on Mac vs. PC: Digital Video Editing Comparison · · Score: 1

    So you're saying a single-processor Mac performs better than a dual-processor Mac? Now I'm definitely confused.

    Adding an extra cpu doesn't automatically double your system performance. Many times a single threaded app will be faster on an unloaded single processor machine than it will be on an unloaded SMP machine of with the same processors due to the extra overhead. But most systems in daily use have multiple apps and/or multi-threaded apps competing for cpu time and they will be able to get more of it on an SMP machine. The same can be said for Intel's new hyper threaded cpus.

  6. EDC has lots of cool images on Earth as Art · · Score: 1

    They produced a similar series when I worked there in the early 90s. I don't know if it was in an exhibit at the LOC, but they did produce a booklet that could be purchased. They are a very dedicated, hard working group of professionals.

  7. Re:239 MPG car on 239 MPG Car · · Score: 1

    I don't know about you, but I actually care about how much I spend on fuel. The less I spend on gas, the more I can save or spend on something else. Just because something is cheap doesn't mean you have to waste it. It is interesting to hear people yelp when gas prices nudge up to something close to what they would be if they just followed the rate of inflation. I'm paying the same amount for fuel that I did in 1985.

  8. Re:There are 2 CAFE standards on 239 MPG Car · · Score: 1

    Yeah, to a standard fullsize sedan. My dad's Park Avenue comfortably seats six adults and still gets 27mpg on the highway. The 'I have kids' excuse doesn't really pan out since families are smaller and people didn't run out and get Suburbans in large numbers 20-30 years ago. They just drove sedans or station wagons. The latter are being phased out and those traditional customers are being forced to SUVs or minivans which cost more to operate, have higher markup, and don't have to meet the fuel economy regs.

  9. Re:Wrong country on 239 MPG Car · · Score: 1

    SUVs have been around much longer than Clinton or even Carter for that matter. They are trucks w/ an enclosed cargo area.

  10. Re:Wrong country on 239 MPG Car · · Score: 1

    I've heard that argument too, but let's face it. There's only so much a person can drive in a day and people aren't going to waste time driving around when they don't have to, even if the car is efficient.

  11. Re:Wrong country on 239 MPG Car · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Yes, manufacturers who want to sell vehicles in the US have to meet those standards. But do you think the foreign makes have to try very hard to meet them? If they do, they are the luxury car makes and they treat the fines as a tax and bump up the price of the vehicle a bit. Their target market isn't going to care that much. BWM is having success with the Mini because it's a nice well made small car. They saw that they could exploit a niche that would otherwise buy VWs or Japanese cars and if it does help w/o the CAFE fines, that's even better. Unfortunately, a large number of people still refer to these things as death traps and think they are a tin can like the Metro just because they are small.

    However, if you haven't noticed, the US automakers are pushing SUVs, light trucks, and minivans because they are mature designs, have higher markup and aren't subject to the same CAFE standards. That's why US ave fuel economy has gone down over the last decade. Light trucks weren't included with passenger vehicles in the 70s because most of those were use for commercial and agricultural uses. Subjecting them to the higher standards would have limited their usefulness in those roles. The manufacturers are exploiting that loophole and minority of what is in the light truck category is actually used for what they were designed for. They are largely passenger vehicles. Even though the PT Cruiser is based on the Dodge Neon, because of the body design puts it in the light truck category, so their sales do not impact the CAFE averages for Chrysler. IMHO, since light trucks are largely being used for passenger vehicles, they should be included in the CAFE standards. Some of the existing designs could continue to be sold as heavy duty variants that require a commercial license to purchase.

  12. Re:OSS can't be used everywhere on Software Choice Group Tells DOD Not to Use Open Source · · Score: 1

    So they're going to let a proprietary system vendor have control over their system. A system that they can't inspect for flaws or have to wait for the vendor to update when they do find bugs. Not to mention that the vendor may be subcontracting some of the development back out to a foreign software house or a foreign subsidary. So they may still have the case where a foreign national has control over their system. They just don't know it.

    The could always have standardized on one version of the kernel and any changes to it would be done by internal staff. If they can't trust their internal staff, then they have other problems.

  13. Re:a bad deal at any price on Linux Spurs MS Price Cuts · · Score: 1

    One can be in business and still do quite well w/o resorting to the 'eliminate all the competition' mindset. What is so disgusting about Microsoft is that instead of being satisfied with a pretty huge chunk of the software business and revenue, they want it all. That's why they keep getting investigated by governements all over the world.

  14. Re:Selective discounting? on Linux Spurs MS Price Cuts · · Score: 1

    If the guidelines only refer to OEMs, then they don't have a problem here unless one of their OEMs is thinking about defecting to linux. The companies in question are the standard medium to large corporations that helped them get the 80+% profit margin on MS Office. How horrible if it got down to a measly 50%

  15. Re:That damned 'theft' argument again! on Fox CEO Says Tech & Media Should Work Together · · Score: 1

    Is it morally wrong to copy a CD? That's pretty much for you to decide. Is it illegal? Yes, it is.

    Was Fair Use outlawed when I was sleeping or something? If I've bought a CD, I'll make as many damn copies of it as I like. The RIAA/MPAA wants me to buy a new copy for every place I listen to something or lug the one copy around with me exposing it to damage and/or real theft. The sames goes for kids that like to watch the same videos over and over until the tape wears out. They're just greedy and want everything to follow the pay per view model. If the artists are so damned worried about their works being copied, then they shouldn't allow it to be distributed on media that can be read by an electronic device. If you want to see a particular movie or musician, get your ass in the theater/venue. They made money before VCRs, CD players, tape decks, etc. so there isn't any reason they can't continue to make money. They just have to produce quality entertainment. That's the problem. The current model allows them produce crap and still be able to make money.

  16. Re:Walmart "computers" on Slashback: Newton, Wal-Mart, Eats · · Score: 1

    The Cyrix processor Lacks a FPU.

    Then what's the FP Unit and MMX/3D Unit in this block diagram? The pdf datasheet referenced in the Tom's Hardware review mentioned that the floating point unit runs at 1/2 the speed of the rest of the CPU. That's probably one of the reasons, they suck compared to a Celeron. But hey, it only dissipates 12W.

  17. Re:Clueless masses on Slashback: Newton, Wal-Mart, Eats · · Score: 1

    Too bad Wal-Mart doesn't have a PC or two in their stores that could access their website. But, the local library or school certainly does.

  18. Re:Free Clue! Short time only! Void where prohibit on Antique Distros? · · Score: 1

    That's very odd. What is it doing to make you say that "it doesn't work very well"? I have a 386-20 running 6.2 just fine with about the same amount of ram and about 300M of disk. I also have a 486-25 w/ 4M of ram running 6.2, but with not a 2.2 kernel. The stock 2.2 kernel won't even let you run any of the init scripts. A stripped down 2.0 or 2.4 kernel works ok though (the 2.0 one gives me 3Mb for userland instead of 2Mb for the 2.4 kernel), although more than one or two users will drive it into swap.

    Don't use anything more than 8-bit color if you try to run X though. Even with a VLB card, 16 bit color was noticeably slower.

  19. Re:You must be REALLY OLD on Real PDA Wristwatch · · Score: 1

    Also, the high-end watch world disdains pretty much everything that isn't 100% mechanical -- no quartz movements.

    That's because they are all about craftmanship and using quartz movement is cheating in a way. I just wish I could afford one of them. I have received many compliments for the watch that I do have though.

  20. Too big for a watch on Real PDA Wristwatch · · Score: 1

    The screen is too small, but overall this is going to be a big friggen watch. I don't see many watches that are 1/2" thick. I used the original PDA watch for a while and it was cumbersome. To me, watches are pieces of machinery that you strap on and forget about them until you need them. The PDA watch was a relatively heavy clunky thing that one always was aware of. If they reduce the thickness by 50%, I'd consider buying one.

  21. Re:The system won't change on Mathematicians: Elections Flawed · · Score: 1

    Besides, if they really had a case in Florida, it would have served them better politically if they would have continued with a lawsuit. Anyone can sue w/o any sort of evidence to back them up. If there was a settlement, it was probably done because it would be cheaper than continuing on with a lawsuit ie "here's some money, now shut the fuck up". Jessie Jackson has been doing this sort of shakedown of companies and govts for years, so this is no big surprise.

    Hmmm...now who's putting greed ahead of the principle of justice?

  22. Re:The system won't change on Mathematicians: Elections Flawed · · Score: 1

    Yes you did. Go back and re-read your own post.

    I did before I even replied to your post the first time. Passing legislation for it and actually wanting poll workers to do their job are two different things. Otherwise, they wouldn't care if someone insisted on it.

    "They also pushed heavily for the Motor Voter legislation which really opens the door to fraud." Bullshit. How does registering people lead to fraud.

    You really don't get it do you? There's not much sanity checking in getting a DL (either of the person or in the process). It's not uncommon for people to have multiple DL in different states or localities. In some states you don't even have to be a citizen. Using it for voter registration is only really useful if it is to be abused.

    People who don't believe in democracy, law or anything else except making more money for themselves and increasing their personal power.

    At least we feel the same about Hollywood and the rest of the entertainment industry along with their Democratic lackeys. Other than that, I think you're delusional. The conservative movement is to revert the perverted govt mindset of the late 60's & 70s that fucked this nation up and get away from the nanny state.

    If someone is 'branded' a felon, it's because of their own damn actions. If you've ever looked at the FBI's crime stats, you'll find that with a few exceptions, crimes are generally proportional with the different ethnic groups. One in particular that isn't is murder. In the stats that I looked at last year or early this year, blacks committed 1/2 of the murders in the US. Given that a very large percentage of the victims are also black, I would think that they would welcome them being permanently removed from society. IMHO, pieces of shit like this should never to walk free again. The cops are doing their job. If they wanted to eliminate democrats, they'd leave these guys on the street because they would do a better job.

  23. Re:The system won't change on Mathematicians: Elections Flawed · · Score: 1

    No, I'm opposed to people who don't know a fucking thing about any of the issues or people they are voting for. They are showing up and doing what they are told so they can get the $50 or carton of cigs that they've been promised. The military does not get ballots filled in, nor were any of the claims that the cops were used to suppress the vote found to have any validity. It's a nice little myth that they like to perpetrate even in precincts that they control and try to do things like steal ballot machines & boxes and other tricks to try to keep the polls open later than the legal closing time in St. Louis and other cities. If such claims of suppression were true, they should have demanded that the Clinton Justice Dept investigate and procecute the people involved. I suppose you want the police to stay home and not enforce the laws? Essentially, that's the only way that these squeaky wheels wouldn't bitch.

    The sad thing is that many people don't vote because in many areas they know that the system is rigged, so voting is a complete waste of their time. I never said that Dems oppose legislation requiring ID checks. They just don't want it applied and when someone insists on it, they scream voter suppression. http://www.washtimes.com/national/20021023-9545336 3.htm They also pushed heavily for the Motor Voter legislation which really opens the door to fraud. Do a google search on vote fraud or motor voter fraud and while you will find some allegations of fraud against Republicans or other parties, but most of it is related to Democrats. If the demographics are what you say they are, then they shouldn't have to worry and would want clean elections. However, scanning through recent newspaper articles, that doesn't seem to be the case. And no, not every citizen has the right to vote. Convicted felons loose that right and must make a special appeal depending on their state laws to get it back. Of course, that's considered 'voter suppression' too.

  24. Re:One worry about preferential balloting... on Mathematicians: Elections Flawed · · Score: 1

    What would stop Al Gore campaigners from offering underhanded and possibly illegal incentives for Nader and Browne supporters to drastically lower the level of preference for Bush, effectively swinging the election to Gore?

    Nothing that they haven't tried before. I find it interesting that many stories are popping up about voter fraud and election day isn't even here yet. I'm sure many will not like how the Justice Dept will procecute those accused of it either.

  25. Re:The system won't change on Mathematicians: Elections Flawed · · Score: 1

    That would be an improvment. Bussing in large numbers of people who know abosolutely nothing about the issues, candidates, or other ballot issues and vote only because they were given $50 or some cigarettes by Democratic operatives and are given premarked sample ballots to duplicate isn't a step forward. Any suffrage 'reform or improvement' pushed by the Democrats in the last 40 years has nothing to do with making voting easier or fair to the common man. It has more to do with providing additional avenues for carrying out vote fraud. They last thing they want poll workers to do is actually do their jobs and check IDs to make sure that only people registered in a precinct actually vote there. That would be 'voter disinfranchisement'! Heaven forbid that someone not allow someone from Michigan to vote in an Arkansas election.