Because *I* am working on a whole host of *other* no-big-deal projects, like adding an OBD-II reader/logger with the data GPS tagged plus video to the Hydrogen Powered Jeep.
No, mine is not more news worthy, it has the same "so-what" value or even less.
All of the folks that think any joe-blow that can read a map and use a mapping program *can't* do the same thing are missing the point.
My gosh, I will almost bet that there are functions built into mapping software that will hilite characteristics that cross each other from various overlays, like powerlines, fiber, a gas line and a river, etc.
After reading the DT Washington Post article yesterday, I fail to see what the problem in this case is.
Actually, the problem I see is that it looks more like a scam.
Every bit of the information this guy is using is publically available, but they have a fancy "security" setup, go through all the motions to have a poor-man's SCIF, they smash old HDDs and degauss them, etc. BUT, every bit of the information they have is available to anybody that wants to dig it up themselves.
They have taken this information and made maps of it. WOW! Whoopee! Yes, they spent the same amount of time, maybe more, that any modern cartogropher would take to map the same thing.
The article did not mention that you can get your basic US maps free, in electronic format, from various government agencies. Just check the various OSS GPS projects. Above ground power lines appear there. Link this to a list of power company addresses and vola! a beginners map of the power system. Underground lines, pipes, fiber, etc all appear on some sort of map someplace.
Want to add wireless points to the mix? Go to the wardriver websites and add their maps to yours. Poof! Another infrastructure layer!
Want to add the "command structure"? Go get that GIA project (or whatever it is called) that was announced the other day, add that layer, TA DA! more crap on your map!
How this even counts as something to get a degree in is beyond me. Yes, it is very useful in general but it is nothing ground breaking, it is basic, classic mapmaking and he uses a computer instead of an offset press.
The Chianne did all that in the 1960's, rigid rotor, the works. There are plenty of other issues involved which are obviously oblivious. So, go back to your video game. Respond to the either, I am tired of your ignorance.
That sounds about as much fun as the ejection systems for tactical helicopters that were brainstormed back in the day (and keep getting revived for some stupid reason).
One was explosives around the rotor head that blew when you pulled the ejection handle, making the blades fly off before you blasted through the plane of the rotor disk. Not many folks really trusted the sequencing to work right when needed. I have heard of a syncronized system theory too, but I think the blades move too fast through the plane to give a seat time to clear the gap between them (unless you want to eject at MACH 69 and that does not do the body of the Aviator much good).
The other was a "through the floor" ejection. Great theory when you are not between 5' and 200' AGL. Unfortunately, tactical aircraft live between those altitudes a vast majority of the time, especially at the times they would be shot down.
Interesting that West Wing used (plagiarized is too strong) a bit from the VP Albert Gore, Jr. "reintventing government" tour of the early 1990's. When on "Late Night with David Letterman" his props were a big glass gov't standard ashtray, a big nail, a hammer and a block of wood.
He then went on bust the ashtray and explain how the pieces would be evaluated to decide if those types of ashtrays would be purchased by and for the feds.
I am pretty sure that the Letterman show was not the only stop on the tour.
although the article unfortunately doesn't provide details
My suspicion is that there are enough details left out that the author and editor could print an alarmist article.
Further suspicion is that there are MANY MORE aspects of this contract tha have been conveniently, or ignorantly, omitted.
Little things, like perhaps Smartsoft has the better GSA rate for MS software than MS itself does? Maybe Smartsoft underbid their supplier and is providing professional services in addition to the software? Who knows, since no link to the contract award is provided and no refrence to what sort of purchase this "story" is referring, or avoiding to refer.
You guys see this all the time with the $2B/aircraft stories, that conveniently leave out all of the special tools and other pricy items that come along with each Squadron delivered with only the "journalist" obscuring the real cost of the airplane since those costs are published buy the GAO with regularity. How is this any different or even news?
My bad for not giving a longer answer. Erol's and the others work fine under Linux, UNIX, OS/2, etc. It was just the people that work there that I was commenting on.
Your statement is even less shocking than it sounds and more on point than it looks.
A few years ago I was contemplating a new ISP, so I called several in the DC area (Erol's, ATT, etc.) and asked the "order takers" if their systems supported UNIX and/or Linux. ALL BUT ONE asked "What version of Windows are you running?", then they asked if I was running a Mac when I said "no, not Windows, UNIX". (no, I did not go into satire mode and say "X Windows" either:-)
The one that understood right away? AOL and they would not "guarantee compatibility between their system and emulators or 'non-standard' methods".
Slashdot Mirror
Because *I* am working on a whole host of *other* no-big-deal projects, like adding an OBD-II reader/logger with the data GPS tagged plus video to the Hydrogen Powered Jeep.
No, mine is not more news worthy, it has the same "so-what" value or even less.
No, I am not missing that at all.
All of the folks that think any joe-blow that can read a map and use a mapping program *can't* do the same thing are missing the point.
My gosh, I will almost bet that there are functions built into mapping software that will hilite characteristics that cross each other from various overlays, like powerlines, fiber, a gas line and a river, etc.
Yep.
Now, the subject of this story has, perhaps, gathered several kinds of maps in compatible formats, then overlayed them onto each other.
After reading the DT Washington Post article yesterday, I fail to see what the problem in this case is.
Actually, the problem I see is that it looks more like a scam.
Every bit of the information this guy is using is publically available, but they have a fancy "security" setup, go through all the motions to have a poor-man's SCIF, they smash old HDDs and degauss them, etc. BUT, every bit of the information they have is available to anybody that wants to dig it up themselves.
They have taken this information and made maps of it. WOW! Whoopee! Yes, they spent the same amount of time, maybe more, that any modern cartogropher would take to map the same thing.
The article did not mention that you can get your basic US maps free, in electronic format, from various government agencies. Just check the various OSS GPS projects. Above ground power lines appear there. Link this to a list of power company addresses and vola! a beginners map of the power system. Underground lines, pipes, fiber, etc all appear on some sort of map someplace.
Want to add wireless points to the mix? Go to the wardriver websites and add their maps to yours. Poof! Another infrastructure layer!
Want to add the "command structure"? Go get that GIA project (or whatever it is called) that was announced the other day, add that layer, TA DA! more crap on your map!
How this even counts as something to get a degree in is beyond me. Yes, it is very useful in general but it is nothing ground breaking, it is basic, classic mapmaking and he uses a computer instead of an offset press.
We have few traditions on SlashDot and you are stepping on the most sacred.
I read the first link about the 1977 aircraft.
As far as helicoptors go, just landing works fine in the VAST majority of emergencies, including catastrophic engine failure.
Look, Mr. Talking Out Your Ass, who gives a crap?
The Chianne did all that in the 1960's, rigid rotor, the works. There are plenty of other issues involved which are obviously oblivious. So, go back to your video game. Respond to the either, I am tired of your ignorance.
Yea, that's why the Free World does not use them and only your Mother Russia does.
Who cares what sort of desk job you ever had, ever fly anyting for real?
BTW, I am MK-J5D qualified too.
No, I made that comment from the collective Army Aviation community. I obviously know more of US than you do.
Run back along to your mommie's basement and leave this work to men and women.
Wow, you are a ground based retard.
Have fun in your mom's basement.
BTW, why the hell would an ejection seat work under water? Sounds like a hazard, firing someone at 3 - 5 G through the water.
Have you any idea what you are talking about? What sort of tactical aviation experience do you have?
What part of "I am not comefortable with it" are you clueless about?
Good for them. Their Aviators obviously do not have as much input into their program as ours do.
My favorite quote from a Soviet Cosmonaut, when he was speaking to John Glenn "I was not a volunteer, I was a victim". Same same with the rest.
That sounds about as much fun as the ejection systems for tactical helicopters that were brainstormed back in the day (and keep getting revived for some stupid reason).
One was explosives around the rotor head that blew when you pulled the ejection handle, making the blades fly off before you blasted through the plane of the rotor disk. Not many folks really trusted the sequencing to work right when needed. I have heard of a syncronized system theory too, but I think the blades move too fast through the plane to give a seat time to clear the gap between them (unless you want to eject at MACH 69 and that does not do the body of the Aviator much good).
The other was a "through the floor" ejection. Great theory when you are not between 5' and 200' AGL. Unfortunately, tactical aircraft live between those altitudes a vast majority of the time, especially at the times they would be shot down.
My thought too.
It wasn't all that long ago when an entire newspaper was $0.25. Now just one comic strip is that much?
What the U.S. Army needs is, invisible hypersonic GIs.
:-)
How about settling for an invisible hypersonic delivery system for GIs?
Ummm, yea, still glad I went to flight school instead of jump school
Excuse me Sir. We have traditions straddling two millinea AND two centuries here.
Are you proposing that we stomp on the most sacred?
Their fate has already been shown in the documentry Face/Off. Did you really think that was a production oil rig?
Idunno, personal issue there buddy.
I will give up the Hydrogen Powered Jeep when my cold dead butt is pulled from it.
Yet another example of the dangers of solar power.
If God intended for us to use solar airplanes He would never have given us Jet A.
Interesting that West Wing used (plagiarized is too strong) a bit from the VP Albert Gore, Jr. "reintventing government" tour of the early 1990's. When on "Late Night with David Letterman" his props were a big glass gov't standard ashtray, a big nail, a hammer and a block of wood.
He then went on bust the ashtray and explain how the pieces would be evaluated to decide if those types of ashtrays would be purchased by and for the feds.
I am pretty sure that the Letterman show was not the only stop on the tour.
although the article unfortunately doesn't provide details
My suspicion is that there are enough details left out that the author and editor could print an alarmist article.
Further suspicion is that there are MANY MORE aspects of this contract tha have been conveniently, or ignorantly, omitted.
Little things, like perhaps Smartsoft has the better GSA rate for MS software than MS itself does? Maybe Smartsoft underbid their supplier and is providing professional services in addition to the software? Who knows, since no link to the contract award is provided and no refrence to what sort of purchase this "story" is referring, or avoiding to refer.
You guys see this all the time with the $2B/aircraft stories, that conveniently leave out all of the special tools and other pricy items that come along with each Squadron delivered with only the "journalist" obscuring the real cost of the airplane since those costs are published buy the GAO with regularity. How is this any different or even news?
In time the it will get past the embarassment and all will be well again. Nothing more volitile than blushing data,
My bad for not giving a longer answer. Erol's and the others work fine under Linux, UNIX, OS/2, etc. It was just the people that work there that I was commenting on.
Sorry for any confusion.
Your statement is even less shocking than it sounds and more on point than it looks.
:-)
A few years ago I was contemplating a new ISP, so I called several in the DC area (Erol's, ATT, etc.) and asked the "order takers" if their systems supported UNIX and/or Linux. ALL BUT ONE asked "What version of Windows are you running?", then they asked if I was running a Mac when I said "no, not Windows, UNIX". (no, I did not go into satire mode and say "X Windows" either
The one that understood right away? AOL and they would not "guarantee compatibility between their system and emulators or 'non-standard' methods".
Go figure.
Shouldn't that be GNU/OSS? ;-)