Has anyone seen the VCR programming device at Walgreens (or whatever your favorite, local pharmacy/everything store is)? It is like a device you set the start and stop time for a show, set the VCR for the channel, and place it in front of it, and put a tape in the VCR. Basically, what it does is hit "record" for the VCR (at the start time), then "stop" on the VCR (at the stop time).
Yes, peabrains amongst us! You too can pay $29.95 for a device that duplicates what you already comes standard with your VCR (provided you can get past the clock flashing 12:00)!
Did you look at any of the videos (alright, I know they were AVI's, so you might not have - anyhow, there is a link elsewhere in this article you can follow)?
On of the video shows an overlay of what he is seeing, over the actual camera image. While it is far from "ideal", you could kinda tell how the system worked - by using image processing to do edge detection, then presenting that to a (probably) array of wires impanted in the visual cortex, which when stimulated, causes "phosphenes" to appear (which, if you close your eyes in a dark room, you can see random ones). I could see that the overlay (of what the blind person saw) matched the edges of the manniquin (sp) pretty closely - as he panned the camera of the manniquin, you could see the array change shape to hug the shoulders and head of the manniquin (edge detection working).
I think if he had a better array, things might be different - but it is pretty cool what they are doing with the 20 year-old implant tech they have to work with.
I remember reading somewhere that 'rogue' researches out there have experimented with stimulating the visual cortex via strong magnetic and microwave fields - anyone have any info on this?
I do so know how my car works. It is true that most mornings all I do is turn a key, press some pedals, and drive to work. But when things go wrong, or sound like they are going wrong, do I just turn up the radio, or roll up the windows? Hell no! I roll the windows down, turn the radio off, try to find a quiet road (if I can), and see if I can hear where the problem is coming from. At that point, I will stop and see if I can find the problem. If I can, and the problem is within my capability to be fixed, I will fix it myself - otherwise, I will ask a friend for advice, and at the worse case, take it to a mechanic and explain what I experienced, to the best of my knowledge.
I have a Chilton's for my vehicle - I believe it should be something included as standard with a vehicle (I also believe schematics should be included with every electronic device sold - like they used to be). I bought it so I could learn how/what it takes to do anything that goes beyond what my drivers manual says. I can also learn how that particular vehicle works.
I don't stop there, though. I also enjoy reading about the why's and how's of the inner workings of automobiles, as well as the history of the automobile, so I know in general how most vehicles work (most people couldn't tell you what a differential is, what it is for, or how it works - I can easily tell you this, plus why it is a bad thing, off-road wise, and diagram out the gearing mechanism - this is just one part of a vehicle). I do a similar thing regarding computers. I am not saying I know everything about vehicles - but if I am looking for something I don't know about, I am not afraid find out more about it, either from the a book, a friend, or the internet.
Does any of this make me a better driver? Probably not. However, it does make me less concerned about my vehicle should something go wrong, plus I am not concerned if I want to add or modify something as well. In short, the knowledge I have gained about vehicles empowers me to control the technology, rather than the technology controlling me.
Until AOL'ers (not all, I realise, but a large majority) and other perpetual computer newbies realize this about their "choice", they will remain nothing more than slaves to their devices.
While you are right that Heron's steam Aeolipile would not have been capable of much power, what IS amazing is the fact that the ancient Greeks had all the essentials for a true steam engine, but didn't take the route of combining the elements to create such a machine.
The knew of valves and pistons - Heron even had an automatic temple door system that relied on air pressure drawing up water to activate the doors to open when a fire was burned on an alter nearby. Other uses were various automata for stage plays and productions, and for various waterworks (fountains and such).
The truth of the matter probably revolves around the fact that they didn't need such machines - there isn't much practical benefit of a machine that only somewhat works, when slaves are much, much cheaper (and in plentiful supply)...
This actually sounds like a pretty neat idea, if done right - I am thinking a mortise/tenon construction, maybe iron fasteners (black iron, preferably), and keep it pretty rustic looking. If ou could artificially age the motherboard, peripheral cards and drives (without destroying them), you could make the whole thing really old looking.
Or, you could go contemporary with a black lacquer frame made of wood, with some chrome highlights, and maybe some neon...
Many times, I have downloaded and listened to an MP3 by an artist(s), and because many of the ones out there tend to be the "hit" song from the album, it makes me think (and wonder) what the other songs from the artist(s) are like. Generally the only way I can do that is by buying the CD the song was on. It generally isn't because of the quality of the MP3 - I can't hear much of a difference (sometimes I can hear a major difference, but only if I listen to the MP3 a lot, then go and listen to the CD - I hear the CD as being "crisper").
I have done this many times in the past, and probably will continue to do it.
Of course, there is something to be said about indie artists - I know I downloaded some songs from one artist on MP3.COM, and liked the music so much I went ahead and bought the CD (of all the same songs I downloaded from MP3.COM!) from her site. I could've (legally, since they were on MP3.COM) kept the MP3s and not bought the CD - but I felt that paying the artist for the work was the right thing to do (hey, the quality of these songs were great!)...
Regarding religion - I have felt for a long time that it is best to have a hands-off approach, and let the child decide over time what the best "path" is for him to follow - regardless of the parents religion. If the child wants to learn more about a certain religion, then he should have the capability to read anything he wishes regarding that religion. The parent should probably read with him to answer, or debate any questions the child might have, as well - but not to censor the content. Learning and knowledge comes from access and use of information. Deny the access or use, and learning stops.
Regarding the fireworks "lesson" - I would much rather prefer the parent did something like this:
Child: Hey dad, Billy said it's not that hard to make fireworks.
Parent: Oh yeah? Where is he getting his information?
Child: Well, he said he found it on a web page...
Parent: Hmm - well, you know son, without experience, building fireworks can be dangerous. How interested are you?
Child: I want build an exploding rocket!
Parent: Well, that can be really dangerous as a first thing - but how about we learn first how to make sparklers...
Child: Aww - but dad, I want an exploding rocket...!
Parent: I promise you, son - if we work together, and really learn this, to do it properly - we will be able to build that rocket of yours!
Child: Wow! Cool - let's build the sparklers then!
The difference here is that rather than denying the activity to the child, the parent takes an interest in the activity - perhaps the father (or mother) might learn something from this whole experience as well. In your scenario, the father shys away from teaching the kid something because it might cause harm - might as well not teach the kid how to plug in a lamp, because the socket might shock them! Or use a saw, because they might cut themselves, or...
I would rather not see legal guidelines at all for any of this. I would rather see parents make logical (rather than biased) decisions for their children on their own, as well as take input on decisions from their children.
Final point, since this all has to do with libraries and filtering (where the filter lists are closed, and biased against info groups):
What happens when all libraries are online? I hardly go to the library much myself, these days - I get nearly all of my information from my own private collection of books, and from the internet (not that I believe all on the internet, but it is easy to verify information with other references). Some day, it might be that the only way to get information will be on the net - will we have to have mandated filters in our homes because of community standards? Filters to remove objectionable content, that no one can see behind our closed doors - but because it is viewable, then it might be objectionable?
In other words, what happens when the library is no longer a multiple resources in a building, but rather distributed, so that each person has what could be seen as a personal copy of that library? How would filters be applied then?
For example, I could be trusted to take an extended business trip travelling alone with an attractive female colleague, without having anything untoward transpire. But I would never put myself in that position. I would make sure the situation never arose in the first place.
How could I or others trust you, when you don't trust yourself? Maybe your wife should've looked elsewhere...
Far be it for me to know what the framers of the Constitution were thinking at the time of drafting it. Technically, you are correct.
But somehow I don't think the framers forsaw a time when political activist groups and other similar organizations with political agendas, as well as companies becoming very powerful in the political arena, would have the kind of reach to change things such that they go against our basic liberties.
As such, these groups do practice what can easily be called censorship. These groups concerns should be heard, but they should not have the power to scheme and manipulate due process for a fair hearing on the matters.
Parents should supervise their kids, as well as protect them - that is the responsibility of being a parent.
I am not saying that a parent must hover over their child 24/7 - that I know to be an impossibility. Another thing to know (or a question to ask), is what constitutes a child who could get confused in a decision that could place them in jeopardy (I think 10 and under). All too often I see children, 10 and younger (some even sucking on a bottle and in diapers!), running around unattended - a parent nowhere, absoulutely nowhere, in sight. To compound the problem, no adult that is around seems to care the least either about the welfare of such a young child.
Parents should supervise their children, and note how they act when they get into unusual situations - if the kid acts properly, give them a little more latitude, if improper - let them know what they did wrong, how to properly respond, then supervise them further, until they get it right.
An adult public library (as opposed to the kid section - and even here I would want supervision) is not a place to let a child run around unsupervised (either by the parent or by others). All too often we hear of kids who wander off and are never seen again - ever! A kid who doesn't need a lot of supervision would cry out for help - regardless of consequences, whereas a child who needed more, would cower and "do what the Man says" (indeed, adults seems to be that way as well today - cowering in fear at the sight of a gun, rather than taking action, which may get them killed).
Such tragedies could be easily avoided if the parents took a little responsibility in supervising their children.
Furthermore, a library should be a place of learning for all of its patrons - young and old alike. For a parent to deny a child access to material that the child is interested in, based on his desires and/or biases, is blatently wrong. The child should be able to make its own mind up about things, provided that those choices don't cause bodily and/or mental harm. Putting that control in the hands of a parent could cause the following:
Child: Mom (kid is, say, 14 y.o.) I want to look at this web page on Wicca - it is about modern day witchcraft.
Parent: Satan spawn! Put that mouse down lest the devil infest ye with his wiley ways! God will cast you to hell if you click that link!
Child is now forever terrified that God will kill them for no reason other than reading something - and may be psychologically warped by the parent. Had the child been allowed to read the page, the child may have had an insight that Christianity isn't the only religion, and maybe he or she should look further into it (please note, had the roles been reversed - ie, the parent was Pagan, and the kid was interested in a web site about the bible and the response was similar, I would still have a problem), thus widening the horizon. But having a parent who can pre-control the selection of what links can be viewed, keeps the kid from ever widening his or her horizons beyond that of the parent. This is wrong.
Final word: Regarding kids, sex, and images of naked people (having or not having sex) - they will find out about it. They will discuss it at school and on the bus. Eventually, they will get to the point of experimenting, then actually doing things. And one day, they will be adults - and legally - gasp! - be able to do these same things. Most will wonder what the big deal was regarding sex. I know I do (I'll never forget the look on my mom's face when I told her I learned a new word in school - "dick" - I was in the second grade).
Aw man! You got a face shield and goggles?! All I got was the crummy plugs (and still, after the show was over, my ears rang!).
I went to the "Inconsiderate Experiments" show in Phoenix, AZ (1996) - I had always wanted to see such a performance after watching SRL perform in SF on an episode of Ripley's. The show was the loudest, most smelly, choking, bone-thrumming, crushing, insane experience I have ever had the privilege to see.
You are dead right about these people being the "toughest bunch of geeks I've ever seen" - dead right!
Libraries presently do not tend to carry porn or bomb-making instructions.
I don't know what public library your city has, but it couldn't be a very good one.
First off, I don't know your definition of porn - for all I know it includes images of Michaelangelo's David or books on childbirth (500-600 section I believe - it has been a while since I visited the library, I just remember it being before or after the 620s (applied science)).
Regarding bomb making? Look right there in the applied science area - you should find a lot of information on military weapons and such. In good libraries, you can usually find Army Corp of Engineers manuals and National Guard guidance manuals in one of the reference (non-take home) areas. Or, if you look deep in the magazine back issue bound books, you can find loads of Soldier of Fortune magazines with a lot of info. Or take a look into old science fair project books - many have projects that with just a tweak here or there, can be quite hazardous...
Point is - your child should not be running around a public library at all without you by his side at all times. You have more to worry about than simple how-to bomb making manuals and porn.
For all you know, his long lost Uncle Fester might greet him and show him to the boy's room...
1. Eyes - because most people have a tendency to focus on the screen, rather than "just" beyond it, like you would for stereograms, so there is increased eye muscle strain, after using for long periods (they also don't take the damn thing off after 30 minutes or so, and relax, which you should also do).
2. Regarding heart and blood pressure - probably due to the fact that having such a device show such a large image can cause (in some people), a form of motion sickness (actually simulator sickness), that causes nausea and higher heart rate due to the brain being confused by different signals (ie, you are playing quake and "running" down a hall, your brain sees you running, but doesn't feel you sway via the ears, or feel your feet moving, causing conflicting signals)...
Thus, because of these two reasons, and the fact that everyone is "sue happy" - they have to have these discalimers...
Actually, the edge is closer to 60-65 degrees - and such FOV is attainable via a homebrew system, consisting of nothing more than cheap $1 fresnel lenses and cheap $50 handheld TVs. Such devices can and have been built in the past, and give decent resolution (if it is good enough for NASA...) - at a fraction of the cost.
Of course, one has to be willing to spend a little time and effort here to build such a device, and your first one may not be perfect. Still, it is possible to do!
The VFX-1 is a sweet piece of hardware - not a bad FOV (not the greatest), pretty high res, and well balanced - combined with the flip up front, it would be perfect for coding VR content and testing.
I think this HMD is one of the best - the only better one I have tried is the 2nd rev of the Visette on the Virtuality 2000 pods...
You are correct here - this is a pretty low res display, but one of the things people miss is the fact that on high motion games (like Quake, etc), once you "look past" the pixels - ie, focus past them, things begin to look better - too many people focus right on the display, which is bad in more ways than one...
No, there isn't - this is an HMD (a Head Mounted Display). The mechanism used for tracking is called a motion tracking system (generally magnetic, acoustic or optical in design, though the really cheap systems, both homebrew and commercial, are mechanical).
The two items are seperate - mainly because the motion tracking system can be used to track other things - arm, leg and body positions, for example...
Take a wooden match, about 1-2 inches long, and stick it in a rubber eraser, and light it. Place the match in the center of the microwave and nuke on high for 1 minute. About 30 seconds will go by, then "whoosh!" - with the crackling of electricity this cloud of "plasma" will rise up and "splash" the ceiling of the microwave, to the serene smell of ozone. My impression was that of an electric fireball (I have also heard that if you place ten matches in a precise 20 cm circle, light them all, and do the same, you get the effect of ball lightning) - very cool!
Got a point there - I wonder if you wrapped the piping with some bare copper wire connected to ground, and sealed it with a clear sealant, if that would help any?
I tried out the CD in a microwave trick, just to see the effect (as well as the burning match plasma flame trick - now that was amazing!) - one AOL CD, 5 seconds in a microwave on an inverted glass cup - no way would I mistake it for a real CD, or a real CD for a coaster.
What I want to do next is add an EL backlight to it on a slightly thicker base, to create a glowing lightning effect...
Yeah, erector is nothing like it used to be. But your comment regarding Lego is a little off base. While you can't buy 1000 2x4 bricks retail, you can get them at PitscoLegoDacta (http://www.pitsco-legodacta.com/), in damn near any quantity. I would imagine you could also get them from Lego itself, if you asked kindly, and had a reseller license...
As far as Erector - forget it. Buy angle steel or aluminium from a good metal supplier or Home Depot and go from there. Or maybe use PVC piping if you like plastic...
What you are saying, is that Ramsey (or any other company) can legally sell small cameras and other such devices (like small microphone kits), but they can't sell pre-made clocks or other common objects with these same devices in them (according to the law). It would be up to the buyer of the device to do so (and then he could not resell completed device).
Today, who would expect your average person wanting to protect their house or children (from bad babysitters), to put together thier own hidden camera security system? Really! Most of the people who would do this can't even set the fucking clock on their VCR, let alone put together a hidden camera system! Sure, you or I could do it - break out a Dremel, some duct tape and go. However, an ordinary individual will not know how, nor will they want to learn.
Plus, maybe it would be cheaper to put all of the components into one package (cheaper than buying each device seperately and building it yourself)? This kind of law stops that. The law would also stop a toy manufacturer from putting a camera in a doll (so Teddy Ruxpin 2000 can do AI facial recognition on the child playing with it and say "Hello, Bobby!"), because such a camera would be hidden in an ordinary toy. What if it were an advanced AIBO? No camera there - it is disguised like a dog? Will Nintendo be raided next for disguising a camera like a game (Gameboy Camera) - up the res on the thing and it could be used in other ways, right? What about a teleconferencing camera in a TV (now that is pretty Orwellian - maybe it should be struck)? Under the current law, these devices all sound like they couldn't be manufactured (unless so fucked up they didn't allow connection to ANY recording or storage device).
The law is the problem - and it should be changed.
The only thing keeping this beast from becoming rife around the world is it's burn-out rate - it typically kills its victoms before it can effectively spread.
There is no known cure for this contagion, though some individuals seem to be more resistant, and live through it, than others. Even so, the mortality rate for those contracting it is very high. Death fortunately comes quickly after initial onset of symptoms (which at first look suspiciously like cold or flu symptoms) - though not in any pleasent manner (essentially one bleeds out of every orifice on the body - including pores).
All it would take would be a release on a major population center with a good transportation hub (Paris, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, etc) - preferably the release would happen in the transportation hub itself, in a terrorist attack. The contagion spreads mainly through blood and mucous (phlem), though there have been hints at it possibly being able to be airborne as well (scary shit).
Slashdot Mirror
Has anyone seen the VCR programming device at Walgreens (or whatever your favorite, local pharmacy/everything store is)? It is like a device you set the start and stop time for a show, set the VCR for the channel, and place it in front of it, and put a tape in the VCR. Basically, what it does is hit "record" for the VCR (at the start time), then "stop" on the VCR (at the stop time).
Yes, peabrains amongst us! You too can pay $29.95 for a device that duplicates what you already comes standard with your VCR (provided you can get past the clock flashing 12:00)!
People are so fucking stupid!
if they use 2d barcodes...
Did you look at any of the videos (alright, I know they were AVI's, so you might not have - anyhow, there is a link elsewhere in this article you can follow)?
On of the video shows an overlay of what he is seeing, over the actual camera image. While it is far from "ideal", you could kinda tell how the system worked - by using image processing to do edge detection, then presenting that to a (probably) array of wires impanted in the visual cortex, which when stimulated, causes "phosphenes" to appear (which, if you close your eyes in a dark room, you can see random ones). I could see that the overlay (of what the blind person saw) matched the edges of the manniquin (sp) pretty closely - as he panned the camera of the manniquin, you could see the array change shape to hug the shoulders and head of the manniquin (edge detection working).
I think if he had a better array, things might be different - but it is pretty cool what they are doing with the 20 year-old implant tech they have to work with.
I remember reading somewhere that 'rogue' researches out there have experimented with stimulating the visual cortex via strong magnetic and microwave fields - anyone have any info on this?
But, FUCK YOU!!!
I do so know how my car works. It is true that most mornings all I do is turn a key, press some pedals, and drive to work. But when things go wrong, or sound like they are going wrong, do I just turn up the radio, or roll up the windows? Hell no! I roll the windows down, turn the radio off, try to find a quiet road (if I can), and see if I can hear where the problem is coming from. At that point, I will stop and see if I can find the problem. If I can, and the problem is within my capability to be fixed, I will fix it myself - otherwise, I will ask a friend for advice, and at the worse case, take it to a mechanic and explain what I experienced, to the best of my knowledge.
I have a Chilton's for my vehicle - I believe it should be something included as standard with a vehicle (I also believe schematics should be included with every electronic device sold - like they used to be). I bought it so I could learn how/what it takes to do anything that goes beyond what my drivers manual says. I can also learn how that particular vehicle works.
I don't stop there, though. I also enjoy reading about the why's and how's of the inner workings of automobiles, as well as the history of the automobile, so I know in general how most vehicles work (most people couldn't tell you what a differential is, what it is for, or how it works - I can easily tell you this, plus why it is a bad thing, off-road wise, and diagram out the gearing mechanism - this is just one part of a vehicle). I do a similar thing regarding computers. I am not saying I know everything about vehicles - but if I am looking for something I don't know about, I am not afraid find out more about it, either from the a book, a friend, or the internet.
Does any of this make me a better driver? Probably not. However, it does make me less concerned about my vehicle should something go wrong, plus I am not concerned if I want to add or modify something as well. In short, the knowledge I have gained about vehicles empowers me to control the technology, rather than the technology controlling me.
Until AOL'ers (not all, I realise, but a large majority) and other perpetual computer newbies realize this about their "choice", they will remain nothing more than slaves to their devices.
While you are right that Heron's steam Aeolipile would not have been capable of much power, what IS amazing is the fact that the ancient Greeks had all the essentials for a true steam engine, but didn't take the route of combining the elements to create such a machine.
The knew of valves and pistons - Heron even had an automatic temple door system that relied on air pressure drawing up water to activate the doors to open when a fire was burned on an alter nearby. Other uses were various automata for stage plays and productions, and for various waterworks (fountains and such).
The truth of the matter probably revolves around the fact that they didn't need such machines - there isn't much practical benefit of a machine that only somewhat works, when slaves are much, much cheaper (and in plentiful supply)...
Worldcom - Generation Duh!
This actually sounds like a pretty neat idea, if done right - I am thinking a mortise/tenon construction, maybe iron fasteners (black iron, preferably), and keep it pretty rustic looking. If ou could artificially age the motherboard, peripheral cards and drives (without destroying them), you could make the whole thing really old looking.
Or, you could go contemporary with a black lacquer frame made of wood, with some chrome highlights, and maybe some neon...
I like it...
Many times, I have downloaded and listened to an MP3 by an artist(s), and because many of the ones out there tend to be the "hit" song from the album, it makes me think (and wonder) what the other songs from the artist(s) are like. Generally the only way I can do that is by buying the CD the song was on. It generally isn't because of the quality of the MP3 - I can't hear much of a difference (sometimes I can hear a major difference, but only if I listen to the MP3 a lot, then go and listen to the CD - I hear the CD as being "crisper").
I have done this many times in the past, and probably will continue to do it.
Of course, there is something to be said about indie artists - I know I downloaded some songs from one artist on MP3.COM, and liked the music so much I went ahead and bought the CD (of all the same songs I downloaded from MP3.COM!) from her site. I could've (legally, since they were on MP3.COM) kept the MP3s and not bought the CD - but I felt that paying the artist for the work was the right thing to do (hey, the quality of these songs were great!)...
Regarding religion - I have felt for a long time that it is best to have a hands-off approach, and let the child decide over time what the best "path" is for him to follow - regardless of the parents religion. If the child wants to learn more about a certain religion, then he should have the capability to read anything he wishes regarding that religion. The parent should probably read with him to answer, or debate any questions the child might have, as well - but not to censor the content. Learning and knowledge comes from access and use of information. Deny the access or use, and learning stops.
Regarding the fireworks "lesson" - I would much rather prefer the parent did something like this:
Child: Hey dad, Billy said it's not that hard to make fireworks.
Parent: Oh yeah? Where is he getting his information?
Child: Well, he said he found it on a web page...
Parent: Hmm - well, you know son, without experience, building fireworks can be dangerous. How interested are you?
Child: I want build an exploding rocket!
Parent: Well, that can be really dangerous as a first thing - but how about we learn first how to make sparklers...
Child: Aww - but dad, I want an exploding rocket...!
Parent: I promise you, son - if we work together, and really learn this, to do it properly - we will be able to build that rocket of yours!
Child: Wow! Cool - let's build the sparklers then!
The difference here is that rather than denying the activity to the child, the parent takes an interest in the activity - perhaps the father (or mother) might learn something from this whole experience as well. In your scenario, the father shys away from teaching the kid something because it might cause harm - might as well not teach the kid how to plug in a lamp, because the socket might shock them! Or use a saw, because they might cut themselves, or...
I would rather not see legal guidelines at all for any of this. I would rather see parents make logical (rather than biased) decisions for their children on their own, as well as take input on decisions from their children.
Final point, since this all has to do with libraries and filtering (where the filter lists are closed, and biased against info groups):
What happens when all libraries are online? I hardly go to the library much myself, these days - I get nearly all of my information from my own private collection of books, and from the internet (not that I believe all on the internet, but it is easy to verify information with other references). Some day, it might be that the only way to get information will be on the net - will we have to have mandated filters in our homes because of community standards? Filters to remove objectionable content, that no one can see behind our closed doors - but because it is viewable, then it might be objectionable?
In other words, what happens when the library is no longer a multiple resources in a building, but rather distributed, so that each person has what could be seen as a personal copy of that library? How would filters be applied then?
For example, I could be trusted to take an extended business trip travelling alone with an attractive female colleague, without having anything untoward transpire. But I would never put myself in that position. I would make sure the situation never arose in the first place.
How could I or others trust you, when you don't trust yourself ? Maybe your wife should've looked elsewhere...
Far be it for me to know what the framers of the Constitution were thinking at the time of drafting it. Technically, you are correct.
But somehow I don't think the framers forsaw a time when political activist groups and other similar organizations with political agendas, as well as companies becoming very powerful in the political arena, would have the kind of reach to change things such that they go against our basic liberties.
As such, these groups do practice what can easily be called censorship. These groups concerns should be heard, but they should not have the power to scheme and manipulate due process for a fair hearing on the matters.
Parents should supervise their kids, as well as protect them - that is the responsibility of being a parent.
I am not saying that a parent must hover over their child 24/7 - that I know to be an impossibility. Another thing to know (or a question to ask), is what constitutes a child who could get confused in a decision that could place them in jeopardy (I think 10 and under). All too often I see children, 10 and younger (some even sucking on a bottle and in diapers!), running around unattended - a parent nowhere, absoulutely nowhere, in sight. To compound the problem, no adult that is around seems to care the least either about the welfare of such a young child.
Parents should supervise their children, and note how they act when they get into unusual situations - if the kid acts properly, give them a little more latitude, if improper - let them know what they did wrong, how to properly respond, then supervise them further, until they get it right.
An adult public library (as opposed to the kid section - and even here I would want supervision) is not a place to let a child run around unsupervised (either by the parent or by others). All too often we hear of kids who wander off and are never seen again - ever! A kid who doesn't need a lot of supervision would cry out for help - regardless of consequences, whereas a child who needed more, would cower and "do what the Man says" (indeed, adults seems to be that way as well today - cowering in fear at the sight of a gun, rather than taking action, which may get them killed).
Such tragedies could be easily avoided if the parents took a little responsibility in supervising their children.
Furthermore, a library should be a place of learning for all of its patrons - young and old alike. For a parent to deny a child access to material that the child is interested in, based on his desires and/or biases, is blatently wrong. The child should be able to make its own mind up about things, provided that those choices don't cause bodily and/or mental harm. Putting that control in the hands of a parent could cause the following:
Child: Mom (kid is, say, 14 y.o.) I want to look at this web page on Wicca - it is about modern day witchcraft.
Parent: Satan spawn! Put that mouse down lest the devil infest ye with his wiley ways! God will cast you to hell if you click that link!
Child is now forever terrified that God will kill them for no reason other than reading something - and may be psychologically warped by the parent. Had the child been allowed to read the page, the child may have had an insight that Christianity isn't the only religion, and maybe he or she should look further into it (please note, had the roles been reversed - ie, the parent was Pagan, and the kid was interested in a web site about the bible and the response was similar, I would still have a problem), thus widening the horizon. But having a parent who can pre-control the selection of what links can be viewed, keeps the kid from ever widening his or her horizons beyond that of the parent. This is wrong.
Final word: Regarding kids, sex, and images of naked people (having or not having sex) - they will find out about it. They will discuss it at school and on the bus. Eventually, they will get to the point of experimenting, then actually doing things. And one day, they will be adults - and legally - gasp! - be able to do these same things. Most will wonder what the big deal was regarding sex. I know I do (I'll never forget the look on my mom's face when I told her I learned a new word in school - "dick" - I was in the second grade).
Aw man! You got a face shield and goggles?! All I got was the crummy plugs (and still, after the show was over, my ears rang!).
I went to the "Inconsiderate Experiments" show in Phoenix, AZ (1996) - I had always wanted to see such a performance after watching SRL perform in SF on an episode of Ripley's. The show was the loudest, most smelly, choking, bone-thrumming, crushing, insane experience I have ever had the privilege to see.
You are dead right about these people being the "toughest bunch of geeks I've ever seen" - dead right!
Libraries presently do not tend to carry porn or bomb-making instructions.
I don't know what public library your city has, but it couldn't be a very good one.
First off, I don't know your definition of porn - for all I know it includes images of Michaelangelo's David or books on childbirth (500-600 section I believe - it has been a while since I visited the library, I just remember it being before or after the 620s (applied science)).
Regarding bomb making? Look right there in the applied science area - you should find a lot of information on military weapons and such. In good libraries, you can usually find Army Corp of Engineers manuals and National Guard guidance manuals in one of the reference (non-take home) areas. Or, if you look deep in the magazine back issue bound books, you can find loads of Soldier of Fortune magazines with a lot of info. Or take a look into old science fair project books - many have projects that with just a tweak here or there, can be quite hazardous...
Point is - your child should not be running around a public library at all without you by his side at all times. You have more to worry about than simple how-to bomb making manuals and porn.
For all you know, his long lost Uncle Fester might greet him and show him to the boy's room...
These statements apply for the following reasons:
1. Eyes - because most people have a tendency to focus on the screen, rather than "just" beyond it, like you would for stereograms, so there is increased eye muscle strain, after using for long periods (they also don't take the damn thing off after 30 minutes or so, and relax, which you should also do).
2. Regarding heart and blood pressure - probably due to the fact that having such a device show such a large image can cause (in some people), a form of motion sickness (actually simulator sickness), that causes nausea and higher heart rate due to the brain being confused by different signals (ie, you are playing quake and "running" down a hall, your brain sees you running, but doesn't feel you sway via the ears, or feel your feet moving, causing conflicting signals)...
Thus, because of these two reasons, and the fact that everyone is "sue happy" - they have to have these discalimers...
Actually, the edge is closer to 60-65 degrees - and such FOV is attainable via a homebrew system, consisting of nothing more than cheap $1 fresnel lenses and cheap $50 handheld TVs. Such devices can and have been built in the past, and give decent resolution (if it is good enough for NASA...) - at a fraction of the cost.
Of course, one has to be willing to spend a little time and effort here to build such a device, and your first one may not be perfect. Still, it is possible to do!
The VFX-1 is a sweet piece of hardware - not a bad FOV (not the greatest), pretty high res, and well balanced - combined with the flip up front, it would be perfect for coding VR content and testing.
I think this HMD is one of the best - the only better one I have tried is the 2nd rev of the Visette on the Virtuality 2000 pods...
You are correct here - this is a pretty low res display, but one of the things people miss is the fact that on high motion games (like Quake, etc), once you "look past" the pixels - ie, focus past them, things begin to look better - too many people focus right on the display, which is bad in more ways than one...
No, there isn't - this is an HMD (a Head Mounted Display). The mechanism used for tracking is called a motion tracking system (generally magnetic, acoustic or optical in design, though the really cheap systems, both homebrew and commercial, are mechanical).
The two items are seperate - mainly because the motion tracking system can be used to track other things - arm, leg and body positions, for example...
Take a wooden match, about 1-2 inches long, and stick it in a rubber eraser, and light it. Place the match in the center of the microwave and nuke on high for 1 minute. About 30 seconds will go by, then "whoosh!" - with the crackling of electricity this cloud of "plasma" will rise up and "splash" the ceiling of the microwave, to the serene smell of ozone. My impression was that of an electric fireball (I have also heard that if you place ten matches in a precise 20 cm circle, light them all, and do the same, you get the effect of ball lightning) - very cool!
Got a point there - I wonder if you wrapped the piping with some bare copper wire connected to ground, and sealed it with a clear sealant, if that would help any?
I tried out the CD in a microwave trick, just to see the effect (as well as the burning match plasma flame trick - now that was amazing!) - one AOL CD, 5 seconds in a microwave on an inverted glass cup - no way would I mistake it for a real CD, or a real CD for a coaster.
What I want to do next is add an EL backlight to it on a slightly thicker base, to create a glowing lightning effect...
Yeah, erector is nothing like it used to be. But your comment regarding Lego is a little off base. While you can't buy 1000 2x4 bricks retail, you can get them at PitscoLegoDacta (http://www.pitsco-legodacta.com/), in damn near any quantity. I would imagine you could also get them from Lego itself, if you asked kindly, and had a reseller license...
As far as Erector - forget it. Buy angle steel or aluminium from a good metal supplier or Home Depot and go from there. Or maybe use PVC piping if you like plastic...
Eh, well not exactly this, but I have put a 486 MB into a Mac IIsi case - lots of cutting, drilling, grinding, melting - and - [snif!] - burning...
All for a mobile MP3 player...
The law needs to be changed then...
What you are saying, is that Ramsey (or any other company) can legally sell small cameras and other such devices (like small microphone kits), but they can't sell pre-made clocks or other common objects with these same devices in them (according to the law). It would be up to the buyer of the device to do so (and then he could not resell completed device).
Today, who would expect your average person wanting to protect their house or children (from bad babysitters), to put together thier own hidden camera security system? Really! Most of the people who would do this can't even set the fucking clock on their VCR, let alone put together a hidden camera system! Sure, you or I could do it - break out a Dremel, some duct tape and go. However, an ordinary individual will not know how, nor will they want to learn.
Plus, maybe it would be cheaper to put all of the components into one package (cheaper than buying each device seperately and building it yourself)? This kind of law stops that. The law would also stop a toy manufacturer from putting a camera in a doll (so Teddy Ruxpin 2000 can do AI facial recognition on the child playing with it and say "Hello, Bobby!"), because such a camera would be hidden in an ordinary toy. What if it were an advanced AIBO? No camera there - it is disguised like a dog? Will Nintendo be raided next for disguising a camera like a game (Gameboy Camera) - up the res on the thing and it could be used in other ways, right? What about a teleconferencing camera in a TV (now that is pretty Orwellian - maybe it should be struck)? Under the current law, these devices all sound like they couldn't be manufactured (unless so fucked up they didn't allow connection to ANY recording or storage device).
The law is the problem - and it should be changed.
Ebola Zaire...
The only thing keeping this beast from becoming rife around the world is it's burn-out rate - it typically kills its victoms before it can effectively spread.
There is no known cure for this contagion, though some individuals seem to be more resistant, and live through it, than others. Even so, the mortality rate for those contracting it is very high. Death fortunately comes quickly after initial onset of symptoms (which at first look suspiciously like cold or flu symptoms) - though not in any pleasent manner (essentially one bleeds out of every orifice on the body - including pores).
All it would take would be a release on a major population center with a good transportation hub (Paris, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, etc) - preferably the release would happen in the transportation hub itself, in a terrorist attack. The contagion spreads mainly through blood and mucous (phlem), though there have been hints at it possibly being able to be airborne as well (scary shit).
Worldcom - Generation Duh!