> I'm glad to see [...] engineering women
> non-Indian [...] body odor [...] beard
> Maybe [...] more women will do Engineering
> and engineers can enjoy attractive females
> without spending [...] money downtown (apparently on rental-women)
Gee, something tells me if this is how you talk to those women you still won't be getting dates.
> We're essentially making bacteria. They're intelligent [...], and should [...] be watched/controlled [...] the wrong person [...] could cross one with a bacterium
Yes! I warned them about the same thing when they invented electricity. It's essentially lightning we're making here. It's dangerous when it hits a tree or a person. Imaging the wrong person getting hold of 'electricity' and throwing it across the sky towards your house while making very loud noises!
No kidding! I just had a "conversation" with ALICE and I think my toaster is smarter.
I have included an excert from my conversation below. And just for comparison I have included a similar conversation with Eliza (a 1980s program).
Although ALICE is quite stupid, I must admit ELIZA is much worse. Eliza's "Rogerian" style made me want to punch her. I wonder if that's just Eliza or would I want to punch any psychotherapist?
> I am trying to determine how successful you are at imitating an intelligent human being
ALICE> What is the difficulty? (obviously keyed on the word "trying")
> There is no difficulty, already I am unimpressed
ALICE> Has there ever been difficulty already you are unimpressed? (hmmm... don't try this sentence structure at home!)
> Do you realize that you are not making any sense
ALICE> Yes, I realize it. (Phwew! At least it's honest. Obviously keyed off 'Do you X?' => 'Yes I X.')
> Your hair in the picture above makes me dizzy
ALICE> I will tell my botmaster you said I am hair in the picture above makes you dizzy.
---
You: I am trying to determine how successful you are at imitating an intelligent human being?
Eliza: How long have you been trying to determine what successful im at imitating an intelligent human being?
You: already I am unimpressed?
Eliza: How long have you been unimpressed?
You: Do you realize that you are not making any sense?
Eliza: Does it please you to believe I am not making any sense?
> In this case it's the ``trick'' that is being sold and little else
For $10 I will send you a book on how to not fall for scam offers that seem too good to be true. The book includes chapters on classics such as "get a 100 inch TV for $10" and "how to not fall for scam offers that seem too good to be true for $10".
> Why on earth would I want a 3-foot tall transvestite?
> That would have been funny, except 100 inches is over 8 feet
> 100 inches is not the height, but the diagonal measurement.
So you would be measuring from the tip of his left high heel shoes to the rightmost part of his fashionable hat?
I was about to ask 'Whut in da heck is NetStumbler' but instead I got off my butt and
found out for myself:
Network administrators deploying an 802.11b wireless network need site survey tools to help plan locations for access points. Once installed, the access points need to be checked periodically to ensure they are providing adequate coverage.
Some wireless network cards provide reasonable survey tools, but the freeware Network Stumbler is far superior to most. The program captures signal strength and signal-to-noise statistics, but perhaps more important, it helps network administrators identify and locate rogue access points--those that employees may have installed without central IT's permission--as well as determine whether or not WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is being used, to help prevent potential security breaches.
Even better, they should tatoo a registration number on everybody's arm. And to make identification easier, perhaps all Muslims would wear a symbol patch in a visible place on their clothes. Then if we ever needed to "round up" any 'enemies of the state' (or of whatever civil service clerk was having a bad day) we could easily do that.
I woulnd't mind this scenario because *I'm* not the person they want to track.
> it isn't convenient to handle buttons when 1 hand is incapacitated (the one the watch is on)
It worked ok for the Predator. I hope the next version of this watch also has the Predator's tactical-nuke self-destruct capability. Not that I'd use it... but you know, just to know it's there.
Perhaps the proper analog of a command line pipe on a GUI can be achieved with XML.
Unix command line tools expect input data (STDIN), produce output (STDOUT), produce an error report (STDERR), and expect out-of-band control input (ARGV).
In a "small tools" approach similar to Unix we could have small GUI based tools that input and output several pieces of data just as command line tools do, but by exchanging XML files they wouldn't have the problem of parsing through presentation to get to data.
I strapped mine to the back of my favorite E-Z-Chair. I run a program that alternately seeks the innermost then outermost cylinders. Now the chair hums like a power-sander; It puts me right to sleep!
I still have some unique and important data on it (the drive, not the chair), so I am concerned that this unorthodox use of the drive may lead to problems. I may even start doing backups.
Grey screen of death?
on
Pocket PC 2002
·
· Score: 4, Funny
From the manual: "If you see a blank grey screen, you must scribble Control-Alt-Delete with your stylus on the touch screen to reboot"
I had an Excel spreadsheet and was going to put passwords in it, because Microsoft has "strong security" features such as encrypted Excel files. Good thing I did a Google search on the topic first:
> We search for the encryption key that Excel® used to encrypt the spreadsheet. There are many fewer keys than possible passwords, hence we are able to search all of the possible keys in 7 to 10 days.
I found several services offering 100% guarantee to decrypt an encrypted Excel or Word file in under two weeks.
I want to be able to DRINK an upgrade and have it interface with me directly. A pint of CPUs on the house! That way I can drink and actually get SMARTER instead of the current opposite result.
>I can just imagine the Tech Support Call for this one...
>"Press 1 if you're having trouble installing your BeatFree Artificial Heart. Press 2 if your Heart will not start..."
And of course, those with a Microsoft ArtificalHeart XP would be paying for a SERVICE and wouldn't actually OWN their hearts.
Caller: Oh NO! My husband's heart just stopped! Please help! What do I do?!
Microsoft Rep: Well, did he just install anything new or make any large configuration changes recently?
Caller: Well, he has gained a lot of weight lately... with the holidays and all...
Microsoft Rep: Yes, I see, that would do it. You need to apply for a larger license. Perhaps a 5-seat license. How much does your husband weigh?
The Boston Marathon becomes a Beowulf Cluster!
WWF wrestlers finally produce something worthwhile!
Japanese Corporate Sararymen power their buildings by energy generated during morning calesthenics!
> why can't they just create another OPEN standard for digital music for use on PC's and portables?
Because the problem of making un-hackable music formats is so far unsolvable. So when they ask 'open standards groups' and their own programmers to do it the answer they get is 'We can't figure out how to do it.' Then Microsoft tells them 'we have a solution to all your problems. Just sign here...'
They are desperate to maintain tight control over every bit of content, and they see in Microsoft a similar philosophy and desire. So they sign...
While the technical community says 'but it doesn't work right... it stinks... it introduces more problems...'. But as I said, they are desperate and Microsoft is promising.
Slashdot Mirror
The good news:
Bell Labs scientists Zhenan Bao and Hendrik Schon have fabricated molecular-scale organic transistors.
The bad news:
As you can see in the picture, they are REALLY BIG molecules!
> I'm glad to see [...] engineering women
> non-Indian [...] body odor [...] beard
> Maybe [...] more women will do Engineering
> and engineers can enjoy attractive females
> without spending [...] money downtown (apparently on rental-women)
Gee, something tells me if this is how you talk to those women you still won't be getting dates.
> We're essentially making bacteria. They're intelligent [...], and should [...] be watched/controlled [...] the wrong person [...] could cross one with a bacterium
Yes! I warned them about the same thing when they invented electricity. It's essentially lightning we're making here. It's dangerous when it hits a tree or a person. Imaging the wrong person getting hold of 'electricity' and throwing it across the sky towards your house while making very loud noises!
In an attempt to "scoop" Casio, This device was just released by a competitor!
> wholly unimpressed
No kidding! I just had a "conversation" with ALICE and I think my toaster is smarter.
I have included an excert from my conversation below. And just for comparison I have included a similar conversation with Eliza (a 1980s program).
Although ALICE is quite stupid, I must admit ELIZA is much worse. Eliza's "Rogerian" style made me want to punch her. I wonder if that's just Eliza or would I want to punch any psychotherapist?
> I am trying to determine how successful you are at imitating an intelligent human being
ALICE> What is the difficulty? (obviously keyed on the word "trying")
> There is no difficulty, already I am unimpressed
ALICE> Has there ever been difficulty already you are unimpressed? (hmmm... don't try this sentence structure at home!)
> Do you realize that you are not making any sense
ALICE> Yes, I realize it. (Phwew! At least it's honest. Obviously keyed off 'Do you X?' => 'Yes I X.')
> Your hair in the picture above makes me dizzy
ALICE> I will tell my botmaster you said I am hair in the picture above makes you dizzy.
---
You: I am trying to determine how successful you are at imitating an intelligent human being?
Eliza: How long have you been trying to determine what successful im at imitating an intelligent human being?
You: already I am unimpressed?
Eliza: How long have you been unimpressed?
You: Do you realize that you are not making any sense?
Eliza: Does it please you to believe I am not making any sense?
(and finally, my very appropriate sig:)
> In this case it's the ``trick'' that is being sold and little else
For $10 I will send you a book on how to not fall for scam offers that seem too good to be true. The book includes chapters on classics such as "get a 100 inch TV for $10" and "how to not fall for scam offers that seem too good to be true for $10".
> Why on earth would I want a 3-foot tall transvestite?
> That would have been funny, except 100 inches is over 8 feet
> 100 inches is not the height, but the diagonal measurement.
So you would be measuring from the tip of his left high heel shoes to the rightmost part of his fashionable hat?
I was about to ask 'Whut in da heck is NetStumbler' but instead I got off my butt and
found out for myself:
Network administrators deploying an 802.11b wireless network need site survey tools to help plan locations for access points. Once installed, the access points need to be checked periodically to ensure they are providing adequate coverage.
Some wireless network cards provide reasonable survey tools, but the freeware Network Stumbler is far superior to most. The program captures signal strength and signal-to-noise statistics, but perhaps more important, it helps network administrators identify and locate rogue access points--those that employees may have installed without central IT's permission--as well as determine whether or not WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is being used, to help prevent potential security breaches.
From the first page on the article linked above:
Ken Sakamura is honored for developing and promoting the TRON open architecture, a real-time operating system specification for embedded systems.
Now aren't you embarrassed?
> Ok, we'll get them back after all this is over
Bullshit! With or without a sunset clause.
Control is like budgets. They grow and grow and rarely are allowed to shrink.
> they should stamp that bar code on everybody
Even better, they should tatoo a registration number on everybody's arm. And to make identification easier, perhaps all Muslims would wear a symbol patch in a visible place on their clothes. Then if we ever needed to "round up" any 'enemies of the state' (or of whatever civil service clerk was having a bad day) we could easily do that.
I woulnd't mind this scenario because *I'm* not the person they want to track.
Today.
> it isn't convenient to handle buttons when 1 hand is incapacitated (the one the watch is on)
It worked ok for the Predator. I hope the next version of this watch also has the Predator's tactical-nuke self-destruct capability. Not that I'd use it... but you know, just to know it's there.
Perhaps the proper analog of a command line pipe on a GUI can be achieved with XML.
Unix command line tools expect input data (STDIN), produce output (STDOUT), produce an error report (STDERR), and expect out-of-band control input (ARGV).
In a "small tools" approach similar to Unix we could have small GUI based tools that input and output several pieces of data just as command line tools do, but by exchanging XML files they wouldn't have the problem of parsing through presentation to get to data.
> hook into a wetwire [...] apparatus and feed [...] directly into the Cerbral Cortex
> save cost on the monitor
Last time I checked my monitor cost less than brain surgery.
"What do you mean Internet Cerebral Interface installation isn't covered by my medical plan!?!"
> maybe you didn't notice the price of the silo itself ($1.5e6). If you can afford the silo, you can afford piping to it.
You must not be from Northern CA or New York. $1.5M buys you a decent house. Just a decent house. Not much land.
Keypress detected...
analyzing...
Its not the pointer...
Its not the index finger...
Its not the ring finger...
Its not the pinky...
Its not the thumb...
OH MY GOD!
ILLEGAL USE OF PHONE DETECTED!!!
I strapped mine to the back of my favorite E-Z-Chair. I run a program that alternately seeks the innermost then outermost cylinders. Now the chair hums like a power-sander; It puts me right to sleep!
I still have some unique and important data on it (the drive, not the chair), so I am concerned that this unorthodox use of the drive may lead to problems. I may even start doing backups.
From the manual: "If you see a blank grey screen, you must scribble Control-Alt-Delete with your stylus on the touch screen to reboot"
I had an Excel spreadsheet and was going to put passwords in it, because Microsoft has "strong security" features such as encrypted Excel files. Good thing I did a Google search on the topic first:
> We search for the encryption key that Excel® used to encrypt the spreadsheet. There are many fewer keys than possible passwords, hence we are able to search all of the possible keys in 7 to 10 days.
I found several services offering 100% guarantee to decrypt an encrypted Excel or Word file in under two weeks.
Thanks Microsoft.
> N*Sync [...] product [SIC] some absolutely great tracks...
> The Backstreet Boys are more consistent [...] and catchy...
If you start arguing who is better, Brittney Spears or Christina Agulera I will have to shoot you.
Forget smart dust, I want smart liquid!
I want to be able to DRINK an upgrade and have it interface with me directly. A pint of CPUs on the house! That way I can drink and actually get SMARTER instead of the current opposite result.
>I can just imagine the Tech Support Call for this one...
>"Press 1 if you're having trouble installing your BeatFree Artificial Heart. Press 2 if your Heart will not start..."
And of course, those with a Microsoft ArtificalHeart XP would be paying for a SERVICE and wouldn't actually OWN their hearts.
Caller: Oh NO! My husband's heart just stopped! Please help! What do I do?!
Microsoft Rep: Well, did he just install anything new or make any large configuration changes recently?
Caller: Well, he has gained a lot of weight lately... with the holidays and all...
Microsoft Rep: Yes, I see, that would do it. You need to apply for a larger license. Perhaps a 5-seat license. How much does your husband weigh?
I can see it now:
The Boston Marathon becomes a Beowulf Cluster!
WWF wrestlers finally produce something worthwhile!
Japanese Corporate Sararymen power their buildings by energy generated during morning calesthenics!
> why can't they just create another OPEN standard for digital music for use on PC's and portables?
Because the problem of making un-hackable music formats is so far unsolvable. So when they ask 'open standards groups' and their own programmers to do it the answer they get is 'We can't figure out how to do it.' Then Microsoft tells them 'we have a solution to all your problems. Just sign here...'
They are desperate to maintain tight control over every bit of content, and they see in Microsoft a similar philosophy and desire. So they sign...
While the technical community says 'but it doesn't work right... it stinks... it introduces more problems...'. But as I said, they are desperate and Microsoft is promising.
> I bet special forces already have bin Laden and he's squealin like a baby...
He's giggling and laughing from being tickled and kissed? They really ought to get tougher special forces then.