Slashdot Mirror


User: robstout

robstout's activity in the archive.

Stories
0
Comments
74
First seen
Last seen
Profile
(view on slashdot.org)

Comments · 74

  1. Fixed? on Lost Beagle2 Probe Found 'Intact' On Mars · · Score: 2

    Now that we know where it is, and a rough idea on what's wrong, I wonder if we can send something down to get Beagle operational. I know it would most likely be more efficient to send out a new probe witht he same abilities (like we have), but I like the idea of fixing something on Mars.

  2. Re:Are people sick of the MPAA? on Box Office 2014: Moviegoing Hits Two-Decade Low · · Score: 2

    Where I live there are 3 choices for movies: 1: Market Square. This is a 2nd run movie theater, with tickets that cost $2.50 - $3.00 per person. I typically see films here if I missed them in the first run theaters, or if I don't think the movie isn't worth full ticket price. My standards are a lot lower when I'm only spending $3. 2: Main theaters. First run. Tickets are ~ $10 per person. Your typical modern movie hell. Lots of ads, crowds, etc. It's rare that I make it to one of these theaters. I think the last time was for a special Rifftrax showing of Godzilla. 3: Sundance. First run arthouse, with a few mainstream releases. Tickets are ~ $12, but seats are reserved, and there are no ads. Also the concession stand sells good beer. Movies actually start when advertised. If I'm going to spend the money to see a movie, this is where I go. The gist of this is if you want me to go to a movie, either make the tickets much cheaper, or make the experience much better.

  3. Re:Advance to Go on Designing the Best Board Game · · Score: 2

    The one time I had fun playing Monopoly was when we did it Iluminati style. Lots of deals going on around the table "I'll sell you this piece of land for x+ a discount on any future costs if I land on the space". That sort of thing.

  4. Re:Strategy over luck on Designing the Best Board Game · · Score: 2

    Can't say for Catan (haven't played it yet), but at least for ticket to ride there are multiple scoring oppertunities at the end of the game, which I think keeps the final winner up in the air. IMO, TTR does a great job with the luck factor. You can choose to try to be lucky in drawing cards, or go the safer route by choosing face-up cards. I made the mistake of playing Talisman again after many years. That game has not aged well. Way too random, with very little strategy allowed.

  5. Strategy over luck on Designing the Best Board Game · · Score: 1

    I prefer games where either the randomness is minimized, or there ar emultiple ways around bad luck. Multiple ways to win is also important.

  6. This is so cool. on After 40 Years As a Double Amputee, Man Gains Two Bionic Arms · · Score: 1

    I lived long enough to see cyber limbs. Now to make them specialized for specific tasks, and have quick release mechanisms.

  7. Really cool idea on NASA Study Proposes Airships, Cloud Cities For Venus Exploration · · Score: 1

    But the smart-ass in me has to wonder if someone in NASA has been reading too much steampunk.

  8. No Thanks on Brain Stimulation For Entertainment? · · Score: 1

    I read Spider Robinson and Larry Niven. Direct stimulation of th epleasure center of the brain is a really bad idea, ok?

  9. Re:CCNA is no picnic on Ask Slashdot: Are Any Certifications Worth Going For? · · Score: 1

    Dynamips is an opensource Cisco router emulator (need your own IOS image though). I used it for my test prep (CCNP, which is a level above CCNA). Won't help you with the switches, but it's a start.

  10. Maybe this will bring back trains in the US on Trains May Soon Come Equipped With Debris-Zapping Lasers · · Score: 1

    "We should take the train. It's mor efficient than a car, and we don't nee dot worry about parking" "Nah" "Did I mention the lasers?" "Count me in!"

  11. Pare down on Ask Slashdot: Dealing With Electronics-Induced Inattentiveness? · · Score: 1

    Do you need your phone or your laptop during lectures? Do they need to be on the network? Turn your phone onto airport mode, and disable the laptop's NIC. When socializing, maybe start a game/contest with your friends. First person to check their phone buys the next round of drinks.

  12. Re:Monorail on A Backhanded Defense of Las Vegas' Taxi Regulation · · Score: 1

    I'd love to have the monorail extend to the airport. It wouldn't take much more track. Traffic volume on the monorail may be an issue though.

  13. TANSTAAFL on Chinese CEO Says "Free" Is the Right Price For Mobile Software · · Score: 1

    Nothing is free. I'd rather be upfront, and pay at the front end, instead of having to pay bits later, which usually costs more than the whole.

  14. Jackie Chan films on Jackie Chan Discs Help Boost Solar Panel Efficiency · · Score: 1

    They can probably make it even more efficient by adding random props in the mix. Maybe try to capture solar energy while fighting around a ladder, or using some chickens as nunchucks. This is Jackie Chan after all....

  15. Post Jobs charity on Apple To Donate Profit Portion From Black Friday For AIDS Fight · · Score: 1

    It will be interesting to see if Apple becomes more charitable under Cook. Jobs was pretty stingy that way (very stingy in his perosnal life, but I think Apple unde rhim did do a few charitable contributions)

  16. Spoiled on Comet Probe Philae To Deploy Drill As Battery Life Wanes · · Score: 2

    I think we've been spoiled by the various Mars missions, and having rovers lasting well beyond the expected lifetime. We should not assume that all missions will be like that. We should revel in the fact that the probe is working at all after 10 years in space, and that it wa sable to land on the comet at all.

  17. Re:Nothing. on What People Want From Smart Homes · · Score: 1

    If it's anything like invisible fence, then yes, there is a battery backup. However, I can see them skipping that. I don't see mowing the lawn as something that requires critical uptime.

  18. Adapting your works on Interviews: Ask Warren Ellis a Question · · Score: 1

    How do you feel about movie adpatations of your work? Does it annoy you when the look and feel of a book changes significantly between your book, and the resulting movie? The movie Red is much lighter than the comic was.

  19. Re:Spoofing the press on Is the Outrage Over the FBI's Seattle Times Tactics a Knee-Jerk Reaction? · · Score: 1

    OK, I agree on the entrapment. As for the press, they created a spoofed version of the Seattle times webpage, complete with an AP byline. That sounds like the press to me.

  20. Re:Spoofing the press on Is the Outrage Over the FBI's Seattle Times Tactics a Knee-Jerk Reaction? · · Score: 1

    By activly sending something to the user, while posing as the press. That's the real issue for me: posing as the press.

  21. Spoofing the press on Is the Outrage Over the FBI's Seattle Times Tactics a Knee-Jerk Reaction? · · Score: 1

    My main issue with this is that the FBI spoofed a web page of a newspaper, along with an AP headline. Doesn't seem that much different than posing as a reporter, and using the information gathered that way. Smells like entrapment.

  22. Sanity? on Ken Ham's Ark Torpedoed With Charges of Religious Discrimination · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Maybe a bit of Sanity from Kentucky? I hope so.

  23. WorkPlace stress on Why Military Personnel Make the Best IT Pros · · Score: 1

    I'm assuming that a vet can handle work stress better. Having the network down isn't nearly as big a deal as being shot at.

  24. Split the costs? on Ask Slashdot: Who Should Pay Costs To Attend Conferences? · · Score: 1

    See if your employeer is willing to pay for the conference, while you pay travel expenses (or vice-versa). That may make things more platable.

  25. I like this idea, but I'm going to assume that all that will happen is ISPs charging more for 10 Mbps service. I should think I'm lucky, with 3 choices for ISPs in my area (Charter, AT&T and TDS). I refuse to deal with Charter, and AT&T isn't much better. The problem is that TDS is running over AT&T's infrastructure, and are limited to 3 Mbps DSL.