So far I've picked up two games to have fun with. The requisite copy of "Resistance: Fall of Man" for ~$60, which I'm enjoying even though I don't usually go in for FPS's. Heck, I've even jumped into on-line games (death matches and the like) for the first time (don't usually bother), and its been a blast. I also picked up copy of "Full Auto 2". Again, not a genre I usually go for, but it looked fun. Not sure, I haven't played it much. It was about $40.
On a related note, the PlayStation Network game "GearShift" looks like much more fun than "Full Auto 2" for $10. I tried the demo and loved it, I think I'm going to download the full version over the weekend.
What the hell does a yuppie DINK (double-income-no-kids) couple *need* a house with a square footage over 1000?
Well... lets see.... 750 sqft is about a one bedroom apt. (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room/dining room, entrance foyer.
For the "extra" 250 sqft you allow you could squeeze in a second bedroom. Useful for company.
Most DINKs *probably* don't need much more, but there are exceptions. If either or both of them are self employed, then a home-office, that can be deducted on your income taxes, has to be in its own room. If you actually like to have company (which you might, since you don't have kids:) ), then thats closer to a three bedroom. Sure would be nice to have a second bathroom also.
So... the XBox360 starts launching new services that need a hard-drive, leaving the "core" system, without a Hard-Drive out in the cold, and even leaving the "Premium" system players hurting.
The PS3 with a 20GB or 60GB HD (and a User Replaceable one at that), certainly seems like a better choice.
Heck, even XBLA upping the limit to 250GB seems like a response to the PlayStationNetwork unleashing 500-600MB demos. and 150MB download games.
I know lots of people on Slashdot seem to love bashing Sony (and the PS3), but it certainly seems like MicroSoft's XBox360 is reacting a heck of a lot to what the PS3 [can do/is doing].
Absolutely true. The Westinghouse is a MONITOR, it doesn't include any tuners (not that you actually need them if you have a Cable/Satellite/TiVo serving that purpose already).
Westinghouse models are cheap as dirt (comparatively). Their picture quality also seemed more washed out and less crisp than other higher priced models. (i.e. most other models)
I ended up getting the Samsung LN-S3251D (of course its in the 32" range, so it only goes to 720p).
Its not quite as cheap as the Westinghouse (still half the price of the high-end models in the same price range, for comparable quality and lots of inputs)
Its been solid, reliable, and I haven't had any issues connecting a PS3 or HD-DVR to it via HDMI (like I said, lots of inputs, heck, even my VCR tapes look good on it:) ).
I'd highly recommend it.
Its like buying CPUs, you don't always need the "top of the line" (since the price jumps so much), but you don't want the bottom of the barrel either.
Re:Speaking of statistics
on
Who won?
·
· Score: 1
Very well paid or very well dead.
Why limit yourself, they could be very well paid AND very well dead.
You'd be surprised what could be done to make a death look accidental, especially when coinciding with a "windfall" of cash.
"gee... I guess they must have ticked off the [local mafia/drug dealers/street punks/terrorists] they were getting money from."
Or
"I guess they couldn't handle [the influx of money|the drugs|the ferrari going 120 down the winding highway]."
Not to sound paranoid.... just trying to keep myself open to the possibilities. "Either/Or situations are SO limiting" =)
It might be worthless when taken as a whole, but its still pretty important on a state by state basis, since thats how the electoral college votes are usually cast.
Re:Speaking of statistics
on
Who won?
·
· Score: 1
and two unwitting programmers that quite possibly make a requested change from their CEO without being told what it is really for.
Not that I believe its true, but a more likely case would be two very well paid (or paid off) programmers who know exactly what it is really for.
Re:Speaking of statistics
on
Who won?
·
· Score: 1
Twice, by all accounts.
Well... to be fair, they could have compromised it once, and the compromise could still have been working the second time.
Of course, we might notice this when "George W. Bush" wins his third term of office, or perhaps when "xxx Bush" runs and is elected by a [100% landslide/squeeking majority].:)
1) There is only a few of these that can fire. Build 10, and you now have "100 shots a day". launch a salvo of 4-5 at a time (or 2-3 at a time), and you can be prepping the others for much faster time between shots, while possibly maintaining spacing for any given unit.
2) The munition is unguided. Add some electronics and some guide fins (assuming they can all survive the launch forces and EM field), and the munitions can help guide themselves onto target. Of course, if they are talking about replacing Cruise Missiles, then they are probably thinking about going after Fixed installations.
The real question is how much "extra" power the system needs versus what's generated. (i.e. you don't want to be like the Yamato/Excaliber after you fire your main battery... sitting defenseless and unpowered until the system recharges). If they CAN grab the full output for a few seconds (or most of it at least), then they could generate capacity for the "final" 64Mj version in ~7-10 seconds.
(I guarantee there are holes in this idea, so please feel free to poke them .:) )
You could be on to something. This is (in some way) similar to the Sony mylo. Granted the Apple take looks much nicer, and includes cellphone and PDA functionality instead of just "on-line communicator" functionality (which makes it actually useful).
I certainly didn't expect it to be moded up +5. I was just asking a hypothetical question. It will be up to a judge to determine what will happen, although I would bet Cisco and Apple come to an agreement WAY before it gets to that point.
If this was MS or Sony, your right, there would be more bashing, and less speculation.
On the other hand, many people might assume that the "i" is part of apple's branding, perhaps referring to "I" i.e. "personal".
They are already using iMac, iPod, iTunes as well as iLife, iChat. Considering that trademarks are designed to prevent market confusion, it would be interesting to see the iPhone from Linksys/Cisco sitting next to the iPod, and iMac. I think I could see some confusion there.
A judge may agree with either side, but this isn't as bad as a trademark on "Windows" at least.
Actually, there was a whole dot-com phenomena of putting "i" in front of things too.
Yes... which is where we got the iMac, iPod and iTunes. I wonder if Apple can make the case that people already associate the "i*" with THEM, either the 'iPhones' TradeMark should be considered diluted, or it should be assigned to them.
But isn't part of the equation the air resistance that the vehicle has to move through, so wouldn't launching at a higher latitude help minimize that? (Of course I bet this is probably negligible relative to the whole equation so I can see where the reduced atmosphere wouldn't make a difference:) )
I was grouchy over VentureStar getting canned also, thats why I'm somewhat optimistic about this.:)
This seems like a Corporate take on a similar approach:
Step 1) Build a test vehicle X
Step 2) Use the information from X to help build Y, a sub-orbital testbed/passenger vehicle. The use as a passenger vehicle can help underwrite the R&D and maintenance costs (and if you can get sub-orbital flight going well enough, you might be able to make a decent profit as a quick "space-line".
Step 3) Use the information from Y to help refine what it would take to get SSTO vehicle Z built.
I realize I'm trivializing a large part of it, mostly through my own ignorance (I am a Software Engineer, not a Rocket Scientist:) ), but it just seems like a plausible progression.
The really interesting part was where he talked about building a 'near orbital' SSTO craft as a testbed and learning tool for a true SSTO craft.
Comparing that to the Blue Origin craft, makes me wonder if they aren't aiming for true SSTO while using sub-orbital space tourism as a way of defraying the development costs (perhaps with suborbital travel as a future business plan?).
I think you may be on to something. All of the people here keep talking about how you can't get to orbit... if you start on the ground.
This things seems to have really good handling, and is probably has less Kinetic energy than most other Launch Vehicles. What if you launched it/recovered it off a stable suborbital platform (say a structure suspended between to dirigibles? (although I suppose that would make this a second stage)... Or recovered it through the use of a deployed parachute and a ground landing with maneuvering jets used to steer to the Landing Zone.
Heck, this thing is a VTOL Launch Craft, what makes people think all the answers are going to be what we are used to?
Yes, but a SIM slot doesn't make sense from a technical perspective.
You rarely change your SIM card, and your phone is useless without. It doesn't make sense to have an externally exposed slot that could be impacted by the elements, or that the SIM could slip out of unawares (and if that IS a release button above the slot, then that makes even less sense, since the SIM is changed so infrequently, you're adding a heck of a lot of moving parts and engineering for a very rarely used feature).
For those reasons I believe the SIM goes under the battery (which is swappable), and the slot we see (if it IS a slot), is for expanded memory... which would be killer.:)
Cingular was probably the only carrier willing to allow this phone
Rather there are only two major GSM networks in the U.S. Cingular/AT&T and T-Mobile (owned by Duetche Telecom).
I bet they went to AT&T first since I think they have a larger network (or were willing to make the necessary network upgrades), although I think it would have been better to deal with T-Mobile and start to pursue worldwide distribution from the start.
Slashdot Mirror
No "Maybe" about it.
So far I've picked up two games to have fun with. The requisite copy of "Resistance: Fall of Man" for ~$60, which I'm enjoying even though I don't usually go in for FPS's. Heck, I've even jumped into on-line games (death matches and the like) for the first time (don't usually bother), and its been a blast. I also picked up copy of "Full Auto 2". Again, not a genre I usually go for, but it looked fun. Not sure, I haven't played it much. It was about $40.
On a related note, the PlayStation Network game "GearShift" looks like much more fun than "Full Auto 2" for $10. I tried the demo and loved it, I think I'm going to download the full version over the weekend.
Yup. They've got about 1 dozen or so titles so far (including a few for the PSP that you can download and transfer).
I've been enjoying Lemmings recently. My wife has also really gotten into it.
The demos are just that, demos for "Blu-Ray" games, or downloadable games. (There are quite a few demos for both type
Well
For the "extra" 250 sqft you allow you could squeeze in a second bedroom. Useful for company.
Most DINKs *probably* don't need much more, but there are exceptions. If either or both of them are self employed, then a home-office, that can be deducted on your income taxes, has to be in its own room. If you actually like to have company (which you might, since you don't have kids
So ... the XBox360 starts launching new services that need a hard-drive, leaving the "core" system, without a Hard-Drive out in the cold, and even leaving the "Premium" system players hurting.
The PS3 with a 20GB or 60GB HD (and a User Replaceable one at that), certainly seems like a better choice.
Heck, even XBLA upping the limit to 250GB seems like a response to the PlayStationNetwork unleashing 500-600MB demos. and 150MB download games.
I know lots of people on Slashdot seem to love bashing Sony (and the PS3), but it certainly seems like MicroSoft's XBox360 is reacting a heck of a lot to what the PS3 [can do/is doing].
Absolutely true. The Westinghouse is a MONITOR, it doesn't include any tuners (not that you actually need them if you have a Cable/Satellite/TiVo serving that purpose already).
:) ).
Westinghouse models are cheap as dirt (comparatively). Their picture quality also seemed more washed out and less crisp than other higher priced models. (i.e. most other models)
I ended up getting the Samsung LN-S3251D (of course its in the 32" range, so it only goes to 720p).
Its not quite as cheap as the Westinghouse (still half the price of the high-end models in the same price range, for comparable quality and lots of inputs)
Its been solid, reliable, and I haven't had any issues connecting a PS3 or HD-DVR to it via HDMI (like I said, lots of inputs, heck, even my VCR tapes look good on it
I'd highly recommend it.
Its like buying CPUs, you don't always need the "top of the line" (since the price jumps so much), but you don't want the bottom of the barrel either.
Why limit yourself, they could be very well paid AND very well dead.
You'd be surprised what could be done to make a death look accidental, especially when coinciding with a "windfall" of cash.
"gee
Or
"I guess they couldn't handle [the influx of money|the drugs|the ferrari going 120 down the winding highway]."
Not to sound paranoid.
It might be worthless when taken as a whole, but its still pretty important on a state by state basis, since thats how the electoral college votes are usually cast.
Not that I believe its true, but a more likely case would be two very well paid (or paid off) programmers who know exactly what it is really for.
Well
Of course, we might notice this when "George W. Bush" wins his third term of office, or perhaps when "xxx Bush" runs and is elected by a [100% landslide/squeeking majority].
That assumes that:
1) There is only a few of these that can fire. Build 10, and you now have "100 shots a day". launch a salvo of 4-5 at a time (or 2-3 at a time), and you can be prepping the others for much faster time between shots, while possibly maintaining spacing for any given unit.
2) The munition is unguided. Add some electronics and some guide fins (assuming they can all survive the launch forces and EM field), and the munitions can help guide themselves onto target. Of course, if they are talking about replacing Cruise Missiles, then they are probably thinking about going after Fixed installations.
Yup. If you pack enough Kinetic Energy into an item, you don't NEED any explosive. (see lots and lots of Science Fiction stories)
d mentrel=url2html-28551http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki /Kinetic_bombardment>. Launch from earth, orbit and slam into some other point on the planet.
Of course, if you scale it up enough you enough you end up with something like this: ahref=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_bombar
Seems like the Navy is working toward something like this (on a smaller scale).
Depends on how they design the electrical system. A capacitor for this thing being hit would most likely have a rather nasty secondary explosion.
I am not sure how that would compare to a traditional magazine hit although I imagine it would be much less critical.
I was wondering the same thing.
Or imagine the conversion of an existing Nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier into a launch platform.
Alternatively
With its electrical output equaling ~10MW ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_class_battleshi
The real question is how much "extra" power the system needs versus what's generated. (i.e. you don't want to be like the Yamato/Excaliber after you fire your main battery
(I guarantee there are holes in this idea, so please feel free to poke them .
How about a Formerly Ascended, replicator-wraith Prior, inhabited by a goa'uld, with access to Technology developed by the Furling? :P
You could be on to something. This is (in some way) similar to the Sony mylo. Granted the Apple take looks much nicer, and includes cellphone and PDA functionality instead of just "on-line communicator" functionality (which makes it actually useful).
Nah, you just have to think "long term".
... nuclear waste.
Once China brings its new Westinghouse reactors on-line, we'll just start sending them our plutonium for them to use.
See? Solves the trade deficit. We can still export something
You're right.
I certainly didn't expect it to be moded up +5. I was just asking a hypothetical question. It will be up to a judge to determine what will happen, although I would bet Cisco and Apple come to an agreement WAY before it gets to that point.
If this was MS or Sony, your right, there would be more bashing, and less speculation.
You and I know that the "i" is for internet.
On the other hand, many people might assume that the "i" is part of apple's branding, perhaps referring to "I" i.e. "personal".
They are already using iMac, iPod, iTunes as well as iLife, iChat. Considering that trademarks are designed to prevent market confusion, it would be interesting to see the iPhone from Linksys/Cisco sitting next to the iPod, and iMac. I think I could see some confusion there.
A judge may agree with either side, but this isn't as bad as a trademark on "Windows" at least.
Yes
But isn't part of the equation the air resistance that the vehicle has to move through, so wouldn't launching at a higher latitude help minimize that? :) )
:)
:) ), but it just seems like a plausible progression.
(Of course I bet this is probably negligible relative to the whole equation so I can see where the reduced atmosphere wouldn't make a difference
I was grouchy over VentureStar getting canned also, thats why I'm somewhat optimistic about this.
This seems like a Corporate take on a similar approach:
Step 1) Build a test vehicle X
Step 2) Use the information from X to help build Y, a sub-orbital testbed/passenger vehicle. The use as a passenger vehicle can help underwrite the R&D and maintenance costs (and if you can get sub-orbital flight going well enough, you might be able to make a decent profit as a quick "space-line".
Step 3) Use the information from Y to help refine what it would take to get SSTO vehicle Z built.
I realize I'm trivializing a large part of it, mostly through my own ignorance (I am a Software Engineer, not a Rocket Scientist
Good point. I stand corrected. I'm just tired of people saying "that can't be done", because they haven't thought of a way to do. :)
Thanks interesting article.
The really interesting part was where he talked about building a 'near orbital' SSTO craft as a testbed and learning tool for a true SSTO craft.
Comparing that to the Blue Origin craft, makes me wonder if they aren't aiming for true SSTO while using sub-orbital space tourism as a way of defraying the development costs (perhaps with suborbital travel as a future business plan?).
I think you may be on to something. All of the people here keep talking about how you can't get to orbit ... if you start on the ground.
... Or recovered it through the use of a deployed parachute and a ground landing with maneuvering jets used to steer to the Landing Zone.
This things seems to have really good handling, and is probably has less Kinetic energy than most other Launch Vehicles. What if you launched it/recovered it off a stable suborbital platform (say a structure suspended between to dirigibles? (although I suppose that would make this a second stage)
Heck, this thing is a VTOL Launch Craft, what makes people think all the answers are going to be what we are used to?
Yes, but a SIM slot doesn't make sense from a technical perspective.
... which would be killer. :)
You rarely change your SIM card, and your phone is useless without. It doesn't make sense to have an externally exposed slot that could be impacted by the elements, or that the SIM could slip out of unawares (and if that IS a release button above the slot, then that makes even less sense, since the SIM is changed so infrequently, you're adding a heck of a lot of moving parts and engineering for a very rarely used feature).
For those reasons I believe the SIM goes under the battery (which is swappable), and the slot we see (if it IS a slot), is for expanded memory
Rather there are only two major GSM networks in the U.S. Cingular/AT&T and T-Mobile (owned by Duetche Telecom).
I bet they went to AT&T first since I think they have a larger network (or were willing to make the necessary network upgrades), although I think it would have been better to deal with T-Mobile and start to pursue worldwide distribution from the start.