What the publishers don't seem to appreciate is that if copies of information (a book, a song, a movie, or whatever) can be distributed at no additional cost, then there is no need for a publisher. They cannot provide any tangible benefit to the creator. There may still be a need for intangibles like promotion and editing, but those are separate issues. The creator can now be compensated directly without having to deal with parasites like publishers, copyhouses, or record labels. The industry just needs a little restructuring first. Good riddance.
When I first got my powerbook I didn't have a mouse. It took some getting used to, but when I finally did get one I actually preferred the trackpad. I can move around on the screen much faster, and with enough practice the precision is almost as good.
As for the single button, the way I use my trackpad it seems like a second button would be pretty alkward to hit.
From a humane perspective sterilizing of pests is kind of controversial.
The real reason for a sterilizing virus rather than a killing virus is this: a rapidly reproducing pest (like mice) can quickly compensate for a large population drop and is more likely to evolve resistant individuals. If even one mating pair escapes or resists infection, they will quickly bounce back to previous numbers, because they will have no competition and no infectious individuals.
But a sterilizing virus leaves them alive for a while, making things more difficult for any escapees. First of all it creates competition for limited resources for a generation or so, and helps keep any predators active. Secondly, it prolongs and enhances exposure to infected individuals and therefore increases the possibility of infection to anyone that is not completely immune. Third, I'm not sure what the mating behavior for mice is but sterilized individuals may create competition there as well, and could even square the loss of reproduction.
The net effect is that the entire population will be infected, be unable to reproduce for a time,
and then die off quickly.
cryptochrome
consider the following
on
What is 'IT'?
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· Score: 1
If you read the article carefully certain things are apparent:
1. The investors are predominantly computer/internet oriented, and are apparently unthreatened by the technology. Therefore IT is probably designed to work with computers and the internet.
2. It's an alternative to "products that are dirty, expensive, sometimes dangerous and often frustrating, especially for people in the cities." That means cars and possibly buses, somehow. Presumably it can transport at least one person. Probably only one, given the size constraints. It is also safe, clean, and non-frustrating. That implies some sort of ground transportation using a clean power source, and given the above also controls itself for the most part.
3. There's a metro and pro model. That implies one is good for the city, and the other can be used anywhere. Also, some degree of retrofitting to its working environment is necessary. They mentioned cities, companies, and campuses. "Companies" implies it may be designed for use within buildings as well as outside!
4. It's small enough to fit in a duffel bag and a couple of boxes, at most.
5. It's a powered device that does something when you turn it on. That implies that you don't just use it.
6.Since Dean is from New Hampshire, if it is a transport device is must be able to deal with poor roads, snow, rain, etc., without letting its cargo/passengers be damaged.
7.It has a "core technology" with broad social effects, and a major impact on key industries. I'm not sure what the social impact might be (personal transportation for all, never have to use the damn bus again?) but the other bit implies the car and energy industries.
I'm reminded of "Steel Beach" by John Varley. In his lunar society the "mail" could be used to send packages very quickly and automatically - including people - through tubes.
Hence the semi-autonomous gopher robot. You can put things in it, including people, and control it by telling it what to do and it figuring out how to do it. You could order your groceries on the internet from your pc and tell it to go pick them up. You could put your kids in it and send them to soccer practice (and keep them from using it for the wrong things). You could put your drunk friend in one and send him home that way. Or you could hop in one yourself, use the onboard controller to tell it your destination, and it takes you there.
Of course, it seems like such a device would make a great target for stupid shitheads: teens, lousy drivers, mean people, etc. Lesson #1 of the internet: anonymity breeds bad manners. Furthermore, any device can become frustrating in the right context. For instance bikes are great for getting around, but even they can cause traffic jams in places like Bejing. Even the pedestrian traffic in many places like NYC is too much.
cryptchrome
semi-autonomous gopher robot
on
What is 'IT'?
·
· Score: 1
Maybe it's a robot you can send to do tasks for you - pick up groceries, the kids, etc. Maybe you can ride it too.
Helicopters sound too dangerous. Plus what about inclement weather?
Slashdot Mirror
What the publishers don't seem to appreciate is that if copies of information (a book, a song, a movie, or whatever) can be distributed at no additional cost, then there is no need for a publisher. They cannot provide any tangible benefit to the creator. There may still be a need for intangibles like promotion and editing, but those are separate issues. The creator can now be compensated directly without having to deal with parasites like publishers, copyhouses, or record labels. The industry just needs a little restructuring first. Good riddance.
When I first got my powerbook I didn't have a mouse. It took some getting used to, but when I finally did get one I actually preferred the trackpad. I can move around on the screen much faster, and with enough practice the precision is almost as good.
As for the single button, the way I use my trackpad it seems like a second button would be pretty alkward to hit.
From a humane perspective sterilizing of pests is kind of controversial. The real reason for a sterilizing virus rather than a killing virus is this: a rapidly reproducing pest (like mice) can quickly compensate for a large population drop and is more likely to evolve resistant individuals. If even one mating pair escapes or resists infection, they will quickly bounce back to previous numbers, because they will have no competition and no infectious individuals. But a sterilizing virus leaves them alive for a while, making things more difficult for any escapees. First of all it creates competition for limited resources for a generation or so, and helps keep any predators active. Secondly, it prolongs and enhances exposure to infected individuals and therefore increases the possibility of infection to anyone that is not completely immune. Third, I'm not sure what the mating behavior for mice is but sterilized individuals may create competition there as well, and could even square the loss of reproduction. The net effect is that the entire population will be infected, be unable to reproduce for a time, and then die off quickly. cryptochrome
If you read the article carefully certain things are apparent:
I'm reminded of "Steel Beach" by John Varley. In his lunar society the "mail" could be used to send packages very quickly and automatically - including people - through tubes.
Hence the semi-autonomous gopher robot. You can put things in it, including people, and control it by telling it what to do and it figuring out how to do it. You could order your groceries on the internet from your pc and tell it to go pick them up. You could put your kids in it and send them to soccer practice (and keep them from using it for the wrong things). You could put your drunk friend in one and send him home that way. Or you could hop in one yourself, use the onboard controller to tell it your destination, and it takes you there.
Of course, it seems like such a device would make a great target for stupid shitheads: teens, lousy drivers, mean people, etc. Lesson #1 of the internet: anonymity breeds bad manners. Furthermore, any device can become frustrating in the right context. For instance bikes are great for getting around, but even they can cause traffic jams in places like Bejing. Even the pedestrian traffic in many places like NYC is too much.
cryptchrome
Maybe it's a robot you can send to do tasks for you - pick up groceries, the kids, etc. Maybe you can ride it too.
Helicopters sound too dangerous. Plus what about inclement weather?