The equipment cost so much because that is what the market will bear. Keep in mind that likely a company which manufactures MRI machines will only sell them to hospitals, maybe a few clinics. There are only so many of those around, so they set their prices accordingly. Furthermore, they jack up the prices to the point where these places will still buy them, but no further.
Think about something like automobiles - in essence, they are all the same, using technology that is largely 100 years old. They are all built using assembly lines, with the same materials and processes. Some may have doodads here and there (ooh - shiny!), but overall every car is identical.
Now - why do some cars cost $40,000, and others cost $10,000? Because the market (nee sheep consumers) perceives an artificial "value" in the more expensive vehicle over the cheaper model. It isn't too expensive (well, it is for me - but I am talking about those whom it is marketed toward) for the consumer to buy - but if it was any more (say, $60,000) - the market would shift away from that model to another, less expensive (but still "valuable") vehicle.
Another example are "enterprise class" computers. Overall, these computers use the same technology and processes as a typical consumer machine. Some hardware is special (ie, Fibre Channel, clustered disk arrays, etc) - but even it still uses the same processes and technology to build it. However, since it isn't marketed to consumers, it is priced accordingly. Indeed, many times it is priced at outlandish amounts. Sometimes, even the lowly components are priced outrageously (like a 9 gig SCSI drive running at 15K RPM going for $300.00 - when you could pick up the same thing for much less elsewhere). Lock-in on a per-vendor basis viea service contracts abounds - even so, many businesses think nothing of the crazy markup on these items, because they are priced for businesses, and not a penny more or less!
The true value of an item is generally perceived after it has hit the secondhand/used market - especially if it is being sold as "new surplus". It won't sell for the amount it used to sell for, generally it will sell for much, much less - but usually, it is selling for what it is truely worth, and what it should have been selling for originally. However, because things are priced for what the market will bear, most things (especially in niche markets like MRI machines for hospitals) sell for much more - even if the technology and manufacturing processes are matured to the point where they should be selling for less.
Why the NYT thinks this is noteworthy...
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Hack Your Car
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· Score: 1
...is beyond me. Chip modding late model cars is the late 20th/early 21st century's equivalent to 50's era "hot rodding" - in fact, it is simply another tool in the entire arsenal for people who like to tune their cars. For the serious tuner (ie, non ricers), old-school tuning tricks are still the best way to get a lot of power/performance when you need or want it.
Some of these guys get really carried away - their cars go from being street legal to being essential rally race cars. Some do really insane things (I ran across one guy's website while on a Sterling engine search - he built small steam and Sterling engines in his shop. He was doing a Z-28 engine swap and things got outta hand - ended up modding the engine from a 4-cyl to an V-8 smaller and lighter than the original engine, with 250hp to boot - in a Z-28!).
Most just like modding their cars. This likely won't ever change - though I think it may go underground in the future. There is a movement afoot by manufacturers to make it as difficult as possible for you to do anything to your car - I had one guy comment to me here on/. that there was an Audi which you couldn't open the hood to change the fluids! A little flip panel was the only access for this. So, you're likely to see in the future gearheads actually "hacking" their cars (cutting torch and angle-grinder/saw - yah!). What will be interesting to see will be future gearheads modding hybrids and electrics for performance or efficiency gains. We will likely see some tricks the engineers don't think of, just like we do today, and like we did in the past...
I would say there is a good chance that your vehicle could be converted/modded. Likely a custom computer would be the best way to go for your needs, as most of the chips/computers out there are for performance use (which may not be the most fuel efficient). I know I can get a performance chip mod for my 1994 Ford Ranger XLT if I wanted it - so it should be viable for your truck.
Actually, there is a much, much better crop that could be used for its production. This crop actually fixes nitrogen into the soil, so no fertilizers (made from oil) need to be used (if used in rotation with other food crops, so much the better), it is naturally disease and pest resistant (so no oil-based pesticides/herbicides needed), has a ton of other uses (not just for fuel, but for food, clothing, and other things too!) and can grow anywhere.
What is this miracle crop, you might ask?
This miracle crop scares our government, and numerous other larg-scale entities (such as various corporations), because of its multitude of uses, and the fact that it is so easy to grow. At one time, it was grown in plentiful amounts right here in the United States. Then a ban was induced in the early part of the twentieth century (but was lifted briefly for World War 2), and farmers couldn't grow it. Recently, products made from it came under our government's eye again - but the courts beat them back once more (of course, these products are made mostly in Canada, or from the crop grown in Canada). We, the people, are being denied access to growing this crop, and reaping its benefits, by our own government. A government started with a document entitled the "Declaration of Independence" - written on paper made from the very fibers of the crop denied to us today!
So, what is this wonderous crop, you plea?
Say it loud - say it proud - let the world and our corrupt politicians know it: HEMP! HEMP! HEMP!
What I have found is interesting - the reactors are properly termed "millisecond, adiabatic reactors" - and utilise rhodium and platinum in the reaction process.
If you notice the picture, look at how "homebrew" it looks, right? I think such a thing could be built in a garage:
For the catalyst structures, you would need to find and use two separate automobile catalytic converters. I haven't found a confirmation yet, but such converters typically use platinum *or* rhodium as the catalysing agent, in (usually) a honeycomb ceramic matrix. In theory, one could cut/saw the matrix into portions from two separate cat converters, stuff it into a pyrex pipe (look into laboratory surplus) one after the next, with a gap (I think) in between, and run the ethanol through.
I am not sure what the wire (or tubing - in the picture and mention in the text) is for - I don't think it is a part of the actual reactor (maybe for sensing of temp?). You would probably need to heat the reactor up pretty damn hot to get it going, but it might be self-sustaining after that - probably a combo of oxygen injection prior to the platinum honeycomb with some heat to get it charged up, then after that it should be self-running.
Anybody up for dangerous experimentation?
Re:Interview questions.
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Beyond Pay?
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· Score: 2, Informative
What if he was gay, and they didn't hire him because of that? AFAIK, EOE laws say nothing about sexual orientation - only about "sex" (that is, you can't discriminate based on male or female gender). If you know differently, please let me know!
If things are set up right, this won't be a problem.
First off, you should only run as "root" when absofinglutely necessary - and not at any other time. Plus, when running as root, you have to realize the power you have over your system, and how much it can be mucked up. All other times you should be running as a user.
I would go one step further and have a separate user for browser/email - one segregated from everything (or nearly everything) else that is writable (ie, internet user/group only gets r-x privs on most things). That way, if something wayward happens to the user while browsing, emailing, etc - it can only affect those files under that user/group and nothing else. Hopefully, those files will be few and far between (everything else under the other users set up - financial stuff, resumes, dissertations, etc).
I realize though that this situation is never likely to be the case - if it were, then it would already be set up that way under Windows XP, which does have these type security features already. But nobody uses them, it seems. That wouldn't likely change if they switched to *nix, unless it was that way out of the box.
It mainly has to do with static vs. dynamically linked libraries - Loki shipped its games mostly statically linked (with the exception of X and a few other libraries, IIRC) - so the installer just installed this huge set of files, etc. This isn't a big deal (much) for a game, for other things it would be a real issue.
Honestly - I first started out (a long time ago) with Turbo Linux 2.0 (ok, I really started out with Monkey Linux - but that was more of a toy), then moved on to RedHat 5.2 (even installed it on a laptop, once), then to SuSE 6.3, then 7.2 - now I am moving on to Debian Woody, and I am liking what I see.
Debian (and its varients) seem to be "best-of-breed" as far as Linux Distros go for me (of course, I have yet to try Slack - nor have I "rolled my own" either).
First off, the Virtuality units were originally made by W Industries, Ltd (or LLC?), who later became Virtuality, Inc, now they are called something else (if they are still around - last I checked was a year or so ago). The original Virtuality pod, the SU1000 (for Stand Up - there was a sit-down racer style pod, as well) - was powered by an Amiga 3000 with a custom CD-ROM drive (I assume SCSI based), and custom graphic boards. This pod was released by W Industries. The HMD was heavy, the system lagged, but it worked, and had a very large FOV, though resolution was not great (but once you "looked past the pixels", your mind interpolated and everything became pretty nice). Dactyl Nightmare was the original game.
When W Industries became Virtuality, Inc - they released the second-generation pods (in both stand-up and sit-down models) - the 2000 series. From what I recall, these were based on PC components (though the graphics boards were still custom), not the Amiga. The HMDs still had a nice FOV, but the resolution was much, much better, and there were more colors, plus they were lighter. There was less lag, as well, and tracking was improved (not that the original's tracking was that bad). Dactyl Nightmare 2 was OK - but it wasn't as fun as the original - there was other games, too (Zone Runner or something, where you were a cyborg cop or such - plus a boxing game of sorts).
When they changed their name the third time (why all the name changes - who knows? - tax evasion?) - they continued to sell the 2000 series - but they also sold the Visette for the 2000 seperately as a research/development HMD. I must admit, I would love to get my hands on one of those HMDs - they were sweet (at least 60-70 degrees horizontal FOV, with probably 640x480 res or better - close to full immersion with good res).
Ok, enough about Virtuality pods. On to the whys of where is VR today.
VR today isn't known as VR. At one time, it was called "Virtual Environments" - now I think it has dropped down and is just a tool used in simulation and data visualization (where it has always had use). There are still companies providing HMDs and immersive environments, plus all the assorted hardware - but they market to researchers and game development companies (tracking systems mostly to the latter - for modeling movement via motion capture hardware - aka 3D tracking). DOD is another big user (look up the Dismounted Soldier project if you are curious). The Big Three auto makers, and large oil companies, also use the tech for simulation and data vis.
What does that leave the home VR enthusiast? Not much. Current hardware is fairly expensive, at the pro-level. Look for costs anywhere from $2500-25000 and up for HMDs (though there are some really sweet ones out there - mostly for wearable type systems - things that are close to the size of sunglasses - imagine the bulky grandma sunglasses, but they are VR goggles, and weigh about same). Tracking systems are still pretty expensive (Polhemus and Ascension still make their systems - but they haven't drop in price - a two sensor system will probably set you back a few grand). Gloves are still made, and the variety is better today, though the sweet VPL data glove isn't made anymore (Thompson of France had the patents at one time - I haven't seen any product like it, though). Software is still sketchy, some of the big packages still exist, but most of the time the stuff is home-rolled or otherwise cobbled together, or it is custom-controlled vis or simulation software. There are also companies out there supplying special models and modeling software for simulation use.
The market isn't for the home user, to put it simply. The home user, if he wants his own VR system, is going to have to build it himself. Indeed, in the early 90's this was a given: With Rend386 for DOS (or VR386, or Avril), a powerglove, and an HMD hacked from plans from PCVR (using LCD TVs) and arm-based trackers - one could have an interesting and useful VR rig, and a
The largest Orion ever proposed (within the confines of modern technology) was an 8 million ton starship.
Actually, that should be within the confines of 1960's technology, which says far musch more about our current state now, than the "state of the art" then...
My wife just gave me this book a couple of days ago as a "surprise" present. I suppose it was after I noted how fascinating the ratio was, and how it appears in nature, among other areas. I also surmised that I could attempt to embody the ratio in some manner into a bookcase we will be building (I realize I could never make it exact, but I probably could get it within a few decimal places in some manner).
I am lucky - I am a geek with a geeky wife - go figure...
Ok, not all of it - the end notes (in really compressed format, which if they were printed at normal size would probably be the same size as the rest of the book - plus, the math in them went waaay over my head, but some were understandable) I only browsed and skimmed, reading a few I *could* understand. But the rest of the book I did read.
I see Wolfram's book as being like a really good novel, one you reread often. I feel that one day I will go back and reread ANKOS, and have further insights on what he is saying. My first read basically showed me, in a million ways, the idea of complexity arising from simple rules/algorithms - and how this applies to the real world and universe. There was much more in there, though - and I feel that I will reread it and come to understand this, as well.
I feel this book should not be read alone - one should read Albert-Laszlo Barabasi's book "Linked", as well as Kelly's "Out of Control", and perhaps Steven Johnson's "Emergence" to begin to get a more complete picture. The combination of knowledge in all of these books, taken together, I honestly believe could lead to some very exciting developments across all branches of science and society - if we only care enough to explore the possibilities.
Many here are deriding Wolfram as "tooting his own horn" on seemingly every page in the book. I do have to concur that this does seem to be the case, but what I also noticed when I read the book, is that he also seems to mention constantly how he was not the first, how others preceeded him (this kind of observation seems to happen at least as often as the first). In a way, I think of his book as a new way of thinking on previously explored ideas, ideas that got explored by many different people, but each on only a different subset of the ideas - whereas Wolfram sought (seeks?) to explore all of it at once (and hence the "great tome" before us), to the point of exhaustion.
I think Wolfram is suffering, in a way, similar to how the Copernican model of the solar system initially sufferred. The Earth-centered solar system of Aristotle and Ptolemy, with it's complex view of epicycles, held sway on Western thinking for almost 2000 years. It took a while for Copernicus' model to be seen as closer to the correct model (it did still require epicycles, only much fewer than the classical model), and even longer for it to be corrected by Galileo and others - eventually paving the way for modern astronomy.
I daresay we shall likely see a similar (though hopefully speedier) version of the same process. It will likely take others to build on Wolfram's (and others) observations and experiments, combined with the knowledge of emergence and network theory, to bring about a revolution in many, many areas of human exploration.
Saying file-sharing encourages the purchase of legitimate music is like saying hookers encourage fidelity in marriage.
While I don't know about the validity of the concept, I do know that there have been studies done exploring the concept that use of prostitutes (as well as having other sexual partners) outside of the marriage can help strengthen and keep the marriage together.
::: TANGENT AHEAD:::
Note that this isn't the same as "fidelity" in marriage, though. Some people have different concepts on what marriage and mutual love can mean/represent. Marriage is more of a contract of trust and commitment. That doesn't mean that two people (who are married) couldn't come to a mutual, trusted agreement to allow each other to seek partners outside of marriage (ie, "open marriages"). It is when that trust breaks down (ie, not telling the other person - whether that is at the beginning or elsewise, not sharing feelings, etc), that the marriage is likely to fall apart.
This is where the concept of poligamy (and polyamory) is twisted in so many individual's minds. For these people, it seems inconceivable that more than two (unrelated) people can love each other in both a mutual and sexually based manner revolving around trust - yet have no problem with the concept of loving families (that is, groups of family-related people who love each other in a mutual, non-sexual, and trusted manner).
Once again, if the trust breaks down - whether it is between two people in a traditional or "open" marriage, three or more people in a polygamous or polyamorous "marriage", many people (in a traditional loving family), or hundreds of people (in a corporation) - that structure is going to break down. We see it with so-called "loving" marriages that fall apart, dysfunctional families on Jerry Springer (I know, cheap shot), and Enron.
It has nothing to do with the structure, but rather the trust (and in the case of marriages and families, the love being exchanged via that trust).
Right now (well, actually a few months ago) *is* the best time to get a house (well, a home loan anyway) - fixed rate mortgages are at around 7 percent!!! YOU MAY NOT SEE THIS AGAIN IN YOUR LIFETIME. Of course, like any investment, it can be risky - if the economy (and your job) takes a real big dump, it won't matter how good a deal that loan is if you can't pay it.
The thing to keep in mind is to not go overboard on your loan. First, find out what your maximum loan can be (go to a trusted mortgage agent), then lop $50,000 off the top, and get a loan for that amount. Most of the time, they will want to mortgage your ass into the ground, and make you live month-to-month - you don't want to do that.
Take the $7000, put it into a money-market account, let it sit for a few months (while you look for a house), then use $5000 or so for down payment, closing costs, etc to move into your home. Leave the other $2000 in the account (its a SAVINGS account - start now, start early!). Any extra money? Drop it into the account.
I definitely *would not* spend the money on a wireless access system - unless I owned the property myself. Leasing/renting is *slavery*, IMNSHO - you *are* flushing money down the toilet. It would be better to buy a home or some other property than leasing. Right now is the time to do it, before interest rates pop back up to 10-15 percent - you will be kicking yourself that you didn't take advantage of the situation, it will likely be many long years before you see this situation again (if ever?). Meanwhile, others will be smug in their knowledge that they got their home loans at 5-7 percent FIXED (don't do that variable crap).
Setting up PostgreSQL or MySQL on a *nix box is not that hard. Sure, learning to admin it properly is going to take a little work. However, installing it and getting it running, to the point where you can get playing with SQL, is stupid simple once you read the docs.
I am biased toward PostgreSQL - it offers the true robustness of a real enterprise-level DB - I have no doubt that one day it will beat Oracle at their own game. MySQL is OK for learning on, but I wouldn't use it in any critical application (ie, I wouldn't reccommend it for use in a business environment).
So, install one or the other, fire up psql (or MySQL's equivalent), and start playing with SQL.
A good book to get started with would be O'Reilly's "SQL in a Nutshell" - it will give you the background on SQL and RDBMS theory, and then layout the syntax and use of various SQL for the four major DBMS (MSSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL), as well as standard SQL (SQL99?). It is probably one of the best books out there.
Sure, it isn't drag-and-drop/clicky like MS Access, etc - yeah, you gotta type. But you will learn a lot, and may even unlearn some bad things you thought were right and correct before (ie, good normalization practices, the need and use for primary keys, etc)...
...whether any form of wireless service (ie, 802.11? based, not Spring Broadband or satellite) exists in the Greater Phoenix (AZ) area?
I would be interested in it myself, but I have a friend who is looking for the same, and she is planning on moving to near BFE (somewhere on the Apache Junction/Mesa border) - are there such options for her?
Also, is there a website or something listing the major metropolitan wireless freenets? Seattle Wireless shows some, but not all. Is there any such activity going on in Phoenix?
I have always thought that for a software company, it would probably be a good way to start out:
Develop a piece of software to alpha/beta quality, then find a company that would like to use the software. Offer some form of a deal where they get the software "free" and future updates "free", in exchange for some seed money.
Ok, so at first it wouldn't be "free", but if the company grows and the software becomes something big (ie, you get many more clients), they might make out better on their investment - plus they would provide that needed beta testing/improvement suggesting support you as a software developer would need (and maybe also keep you from making major business mistakes in the software prior to a real release).
That's scary - confirms that it will likely come down the line then - disappointing. Guess we'll have to learn to hack our cars, then (break out the reciprocating saw!).
I love to work on cars when I can, and when I understand the problem/solution. I regret not taking auto shop in high school (I took way too much computer programming for the easy "A"). So I am learning/playing now. Now that I have my Bronco, I don't have to worry about screwing up too badly - it is old, parts are cheap (when they can be found), and it isn't too complicated - most complex thing seems to be the carb (which I barely understand - sometime later I plan on buying an old, but functional, carb and a book, and sit down at a bench, tear it down then rebuild it, to learn how the damn thing really works - like I would with software). If I screw up, I can still drive to work in my Ranger...
I have been playing with VR and related equipment since 1992. Yes - the technology exists, but it is still too expensive - and no matter what, the issue regarding simulation sickness will likely always be there (though promising work on vestibular stimulation has been done). It has been put together, and it is still expensive. The most recent HMD I own is a CyberEye - it is a "pro-level" HMD - new it cost around $1500.00 - I picked mine up used on Ebay for around $300.00 (including 3DOF tracker! a steal). It is nice, but its FOV is limited. Resolution is pretty good, 640x480. It is very lightweight (about a quarter of the weight of a StuntMaster HMD), even with the tracker attached. I think part of the problem keeping HMDs from coming down in price due to lack of market penetration is user perception - most of the gamers who used early consumer HMDs like the Stuntmaster, CyberMaxx, Forte VFX-1 and i-glasses remembered the crappy resolution, washed out colors, and limited FOV, plus the greater weight. So they have preconceived notions about what an HMD is - most have never put on a real HMD (the latest Visettes are a good example of an arcade/pro HMD - but there are better research/pro level HMDs out there). Furthermore, most haven't experienced real immersive VR (makes DDR look like a walk in the park exercise-wise)...
I agree - I live in Phoenix, Arizona - and one of the large home builders here is Del Webb. They sell homes for the standard six figures and up. Stick frame, shit construction (hey, it is shit to me if it isn't at least block construction). Out near Surprise, AZ, though is the fabulous place known as Sun City. Del Webb basically plopped down an entire city for senior living in the middle of the desert. One of their late offerring has ben "Sun City Grand by Del Webb" - the prices of these homes start at around $80,000. You look at these homes, and they are the exact same thing as the stick frame homes built for regular people elsewhere in the valley, selling for six figures. So why the difference? Because regular people supposedly can afford it, and the pocket the extra, that's why...
I will tell you something I hate about almost *all* current cars, whether they are "American" or "Foreign".
It is nearly impossible to work on them yourself!
I currently own three cars - a 1979 Ford Bronco (400M-Block - 6.6L!) for "recreation", a 1994 Ford Ranger (2.3L 4-cyl) for myself, and my wife has a 1997 Dodge Neon (2.0L 4-cyl).
Whenever I am working on the Neon, I feel like I need the hands of child to get to some areas (ie, to loosen a bolt that shifts the alternator, so you can remove one of the belts, you have to remove the air duct/shroud, and you *still* scrape your knuckles). Other parts are nearly impossible to get to because other crap (like fuel lines or such that are difficult to move) are in the way - or they were installed at the factory when the engine was out of the car, making it impossible to get to. I don't even want to talk about changing the timing belt (likely nearly impossible to do at home given clearance issues).
My Ranger, on the other hand, is a lot more forgiving. Some parts are difficult to get to (and the person who decided the intake manifold should go over the top of the spark plugs should be shot), but most things can be reached pretty easily.
The Bronco? There is enough room under the hood that I can nearly climb in and shut it down on me. All parts are easily accessible, no huge and funky wiring harnesses in the way, parts are clear and easy to see, plenty of room - OMFG, a dream to work on.
I shudder to think what future cars will be like - the way things are going, they are wanting to *make* you take them to the dealer to get them worked on, even if you understand the problem yourself and can get the parts, simply because some special tool or other gizmo is required just to work on the damn thing. I keep expecting to see security screws/bolts/nuts to appear on newer cars - hasn't happened yet, but I am sure it will happen sometime.
Yeah, they really do want to bolt the hood down on ya!
Slashdot Mirror
Think about something like automobiles - in essence, they are all the same, using technology that is largely 100 years old. They are all built using assembly lines, with the same materials and processes. Some may have doodads here and there (ooh - shiny!), but overall every car is identical.
Now - why do some cars cost $40,000, and others cost $10,000? Because the market (nee sheep consumers) perceives an artificial "value" in the more expensive vehicle over the cheaper model. It isn't too expensive (well, it is for me - but I am talking about those whom it is marketed toward) for the consumer to buy - but if it was any more (say, $60,000) - the market would shift away from that model to another, less expensive (but still "valuable") vehicle.
Another example are "enterprise class" computers. Overall, these computers use the same technology and processes as a typical consumer machine. Some hardware is special (ie, Fibre Channel, clustered disk arrays, etc) - but even it still uses the same processes and technology to build it. However, since it isn't marketed to consumers, it is priced accordingly. Indeed, many times it is priced at outlandish amounts. Sometimes, even the lowly components are priced outrageously (like a 9 gig SCSI drive running at 15K RPM going for $300.00 - when you could pick up the same thing for much less elsewhere). Lock-in on a per-vendor basis viea service contracts abounds - even so, many businesses think nothing of the crazy markup on these items, because they are priced for businesses, and not a penny more or less!
The true value of an item is generally perceived after it has hit the secondhand/used market - especially if it is being sold as "new surplus". It won't sell for the amount it used to sell for, generally it will sell for much, much less - but usually, it is selling for what it is truely worth, and what it should have been selling for originally. However, because things are priced for what the market will bear, most things (especially in niche markets like MRI machines for hospitals) sell for much more - even if the technology and manufacturing processes are matured to the point where they should be selling for less.
Some of these guys get really carried away - their cars go from being street legal to being essential rally race cars. Some do really insane things (I ran across one guy's website while on a Sterling engine search - he built small steam and Sterling engines in his shop. He was doing a Z-28 engine swap and things got outta hand - ended up modding the engine from a 4-cyl to an V-8 smaller and lighter than the original engine, with 250hp to boot - in a Z-28!).
Most just like modding their cars. This likely won't ever change - though I think it may go underground in the future. There is a movement afoot by manufacturers to make it as difficult as possible for you to do anything to your car - I had one guy comment to me here on /. that there was an Audi which you couldn't open the hood to change the fluids! A little flip panel was the only access for this. So, you're likely to see in the future gearheads actually "hacking" their cars (cutting torch and angle-grinder/saw - yah!). What will be interesting to see will be future gearheads modding hybrids and electrics for performance or efficiency gains. We will likely see some tricks the engineers don't think of, just like we do today, and like we did in the past...
I would say there is a good chance that your vehicle could be converted/modded. Likely a custom computer would be the best way to go for your needs, as most of the chips/computers out there are for performance use (which may not be the most fuel efficient). I know I can get a performance chip mod for my 1994 Ford Ranger XLT if I wanted it - so it should be viable for your truck.
What is this miracle crop, you might ask?
This miracle crop scares our government, and numerous other larg-scale entities (such as various corporations), because of its multitude of uses, and the fact that it is so easy to grow. At one time, it was grown in plentiful amounts right here in the United States. Then a ban was induced in the early part of the twentieth century (but was lifted briefly for World War 2), and farmers couldn't grow it. Recently, products made from it came under our government's eye again - but the courts beat them back once more (of course, these products are made mostly in Canada, or from the crop grown in Canada). We, the people, are being denied access to growing this crop, and reaping its benefits, by our own government. A government started with a document entitled the "Declaration of Independence" - written on paper made from the very fibers of the crop denied to us today!
So, what is this wonderous crop, you plea?
Say it loud - say it proud - let the world and our corrupt politicians know it: HEMP! HEMP! HEMP!
If you notice the picture, look at how "homebrew" it looks, right? I think such a thing could be built in a garage:
For the catalyst structures, you would need to find and use two separate automobile catalytic converters. I haven't found a confirmation yet, but such converters typically use platinum *or* rhodium as the catalysing agent, in (usually) a honeycomb ceramic matrix. In theory, one could cut/saw the matrix into portions from two separate cat converters, stuff it into a pyrex pipe (look into laboratory surplus) one after the next, with a gap (I think) in between, and run the ethanol through.
I am not sure what the wire (or tubing - in the picture and mention in the text) is for - I don't think it is a part of the actual reactor (maybe for sensing of temp?). You would probably need to heat the reactor up pretty damn hot to get it going, but it might be self-sustaining after that - probably a combo of oxygen injection prior to the platinum honeycomb with some heat to get it charged up, then after that it should be self-running.
Anybody up for dangerous experimentation?
What if he was gay, and they didn't hire him because of that? AFAIK, EOE laws say nothing about sexual orientation - only about "sex" (that is, you can't discriminate based on male or female gender). If you know differently, please let me know!
First off, you should only run as "root" when absofinglutely necessary - and not at any other time. Plus, when running as root, you have to realize the power you have over your system, and how much it can be mucked up. All other times you should be running as a user.
I would go one step further and have a separate user for browser/email - one segregated from everything (or nearly everything) else that is writable (ie, internet user/group only gets r-x privs on most things). That way, if something wayward happens to the user while browsing, emailing, etc - it can only affect those files under that user/group and nothing else. Hopefully, those files will be few and far between (everything else under the other users set up - financial stuff, resumes, dissertations, etc).
I realize though that this situation is never likely to be the case - if it were, then it would already be set up that way under Windows XP, which does have these type security features already. But nobody uses them, it seems. That wouldn't likely change if they switched to *nix, unless it was that way out of the box.
It mainly has to do with static vs. dynamically linked libraries - Loki shipped its games mostly statically linked (with the exception of X and a few other libraries, IIRC) - so the installer just installed this huge set of files, etc. This isn't a big deal (much) for a game, for other things it would be a real issue.
Honestly - I first started out (a long time ago) with Turbo Linux 2.0 (ok, I really started out with Monkey Linux - but that was more of a toy), then moved on to RedHat 5.2 (even installed it on a laptop, once), then to SuSE 6.3, then 7.2 - now I am moving on to Debian Woody, and I am liking what I see.
Debian (and its varients) seem to be "best-of-breed" as far as Linux Distros go for me (of course, I have yet to try Slack - nor have I "rolled my own" either).
Start right, start now...
First off, the Virtuality units were originally made by W Industries, Ltd (or LLC?), who later became Virtuality, Inc, now they are called something else (if they are still around - last I checked was a year or so ago). The original Virtuality pod, the SU1000 (for Stand Up - there was a sit-down racer style pod, as well) - was powered by an Amiga 3000 with a custom CD-ROM drive (I assume SCSI based), and custom graphic boards. This pod was released by W Industries. The HMD was heavy, the system lagged, but it worked, and had a very large FOV, though resolution was not great (but once you "looked past the pixels", your mind interpolated and everything became pretty nice). Dactyl Nightmare was the original game.
When W Industries became Virtuality, Inc - they released the second-generation pods (in both stand-up and sit-down models) - the 2000 series. From what I recall, these were based on PC components (though the graphics boards were still custom), not the Amiga. The HMDs still had a nice FOV, but the resolution was much, much better, and there were more colors, plus they were lighter. There was less lag, as well, and tracking was improved (not that the original's tracking was that bad). Dactyl Nightmare 2 was OK - but it wasn't as fun as the original - there was other games, too (Zone Runner or something, where you were a cyborg cop or such - plus a boxing game of sorts).
When they changed their name the third time (why all the name changes - who knows? - tax evasion?) - they continued to sell the 2000 series - but they also sold the Visette for the 2000 seperately as a research/development HMD. I must admit, I would love to get my hands on one of those HMDs - they were sweet (at least 60-70 degrees horizontal FOV, with probably 640x480 res or better - close to full immersion with good res).
Ok, enough about Virtuality pods. On to the whys of where is VR today.
VR today isn't known as VR. At one time, it was called "Virtual Environments" - now I think it has dropped down and is just a tool used in simulation and data visualization (where it has always had use). There are still companies providing HMDs and immersive environments, plus all the assorted hardware - but they market to researchers and game development companies (tracking systems mostly to the latter - for modeling movement via motion capture hardware - aka 3D tracking). DOD is another big user (look up the Dismounted Soldier project if you are curious). The Big Three auto makers, and large oil companies, also use the tech for simulation and data vis.
What does that leave the home VR enthusiast? Not much. Current hardware is fairly expensive, at the pro-level. Look for costs anywhere from $2500-25000 and up for HMDs (though there are some really sweet ones out there - mostly for wearable type systems - things that are close to the size of sunglasses - imagine the bulky grandma sunglasses, but they are VR goggles, and weigh about same). Tracking systems are still pretty expensive (Polhemus and Ascension still make their systems - but they haven't drop in price - a two sensor system will probably set you back a few grand). Gloves are still made, and the variety is better today, though the sweet VPL data glove isn't made anymore (Thompson of France had the patents at one time - I haven't seen any product like it, though). Software is still sketchy, some of the big packages still exist, but most of the time the stuff is home-rolled or otherwise cobbled together, or it is custom-controlled vis or simulation software. There are also companies out there supplying special models and modeling software for simulation use.
The market isn't for the home user, to put it simply. The home user, if he wants his own VR system, is going to have to build it himself. Indeed, in the early 90's this was a given: With Rend386 for DOS (or VR386, or Avril), a powerglove, and an HMD hacked from plans from PCVR (using LCD TVs) and arm-based trackers - one could have an interesting and useful VR rig, and a
Actually, that should be within the confines of 1960's technology, which says far musch more about our current state now, than the "state of the art" then...
I am lucky - I am a geek with a geeky wife - go figure...
I see Wolfram's book as being like a really good novel, one you reread often. I feel that one day I will go back and reread ANKOS, and have further insights on what he is saying. My first read basically showed me, in a million ways, the idea of complexity arising from simple rules/algorithms - and how this applies to the real world and universe. There was much more in there, though - and I feel that I will reread it and come to understand this, as well.
I feel this book should not be read alone - one should read Albert-Laszlo Barabasi's book "Linked", as well as Kelly's "Out of Control", and perhaps Steven Johnson's "Emergence" to begin to get a more complete picture. The combination of knowledge in all of these books, taken together, I honestly believe could lead to some very exciting developments across all branches of science and society - if we only care enough to explore the possibilities.
Many here are deriding Wolfram as "tooting his own horn" on seemingly every page in the book. I do have to concur that this does seem to be the case, but what I also noticed when I read the book, is that he also seems to mention constantly how he was not the first, how others preceeded him (this kind of observation seems to happen at least as often as the first). In a way, I think of his book as a new way of thinking on previously explored ideas, ideas that got explored by many different people, but each on only a different subset of the ideas - whereas Wolfram sought (seeks?) to explore all of it at once (and hence the "great tome" before us), to the point of exhaustion.
I think Wolfram is suffering, in a way, similar to how the Copernican model of the solar system initially sufferred. The Earth-centered solar system of Aristotle and Ptolemy, with it's complex view of epicycles, held sway on Western thinking for almost 2000 years. It took a while for Copernicus' model to be seen as closer to the correct model (it did still require epicycles, only much fewer than the classical model), and even longer for it to be corrected by Galileo and others - eventually paving the way for modern astronomy.
I daresay we shall likely see a similar (though hopefully speedier) version of the same process. It will likely take others to build on Wolfram's (and others) observations and experiments, combined with the knowledge of emergence and network theory, to bring about a revolution in many, many areas of human exploration.
While I don't know about the validity of the concept, I do know that there have been studies done exploring the concept that use of prostitutes (as well as having other sexual partners) outside of the marriage can help strengthen and keep the marriage together.
::: TANGENT AHEAD :::
Note that this isn't the same as "fidelity" in marriage, though. Some people have different concepts on what marriage and mutual love can mean/represent. Marriage is more of a contract of trust and commitment. That doesn't mean that two people (who are married) couldn't come to a mutual, trusted agreement to allow each other to seek partners outside of marriage (ie, "open marriages"). It is when that trust breaks down (ie, not telling the other person - whether that is at the beginning or elsewise, not sharing feelings, etc), that the marriage is likely to fall apart.
This is where the concept of poligamy (and polyamory) is twisted in so many individual's minds. For these people, it seems inconceivable that more than two (unrelated) people can love each other in both a mutual and sexually based manner revolving around trust - yet have no problem with the concept of loving families (that is, groups of family-related people who love each other in a mutual, non-sexual, and trusted manner).
Once again, if the trust breaks down - whether it is between two people in a traditional or "open" marriage, three or more people in a polygamous or polyamorous "marriage", many people (in a traditional loving family), or hundreds of people (in a corporation) - that structure is going to break down. We see it with so-called "loving" marriages that fall apart, dysfunctional families on Jerry Springer (I know, cheap shot), and Enron.
It has nothing to do with the structure, but rather the trust (and in the case of marriages and families, the love being exchanged via that trust).
The thing to keep in mind is to not go overboard on your loan. First, find out what your maximum loan can be (go to a trusted mortgage agent), then lop $50,000 off the top, and get a loan for that amount. Most of the time, they will want to mortgage your ass into the ground, and make you live month-to-month - you don't want to do that.
Take the $7000, put it into a money-market account, let it sit for a few months (while you look for a house), then use $5000 or so for down payment, closing costs, etc to move into your home. Leave the other $2000 in the account (its a SAVINGS account - start now, start early!). Any extra money? Drop it into the account.
I definitely *would not* spend the money on a wireless access system - unless I owned the property myself. Leasing/renting is *slavery*, IMNSHO - you *are* flushing money down the toilet. It would be better to buy a home or some other property than leasing. Right now is the time to do it, before interest rates pop back up to 10-15 percent - you will be kicking yourself that you didn't take advantage of the situation, it will likely be many long years before you see this situation again (if ever?). Meanwhile, others will be smug in their knowledge that they got their home loans at 5-7 percent FIXED (don't do that variable crap).
They also have a nice selection of other interesting projects...
Was it this article?
I am biased toward PostgreSQL - it offers the true robustness of a real enterprise-level DB - I have no doubt that one day it will beat Oracle at their own game. MySQL is OK for learning on, but I wouldn't use it in any critical application (ie, I wouldn't reccommend it for use in a business environment).
So, install one or the other, fire up psql (or MySQL's equivalent), and start playing with SQL.
A good book to get started with would be O'Reilly's "SQL in a Nutshell" - it will give you the background on SQL and RDBMS theory, and then layout the syntax and use of various SQL for the four major DBMS (MSSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL), as well as standard SQL (SQL99?). It is probably one of the best books out there.
Sure, it isn't drag-and-drop/clicky like MS Access, etc - yeah, you gotta type. But you will learn a lot, and may even unlearn some bad things you thought were right and correct before (ie, good normalization practices, the need and use for primary keys, etc)...
I would be interested in it myself, but I have a friend who is looking for the same, and she is planning on moving to near BFE (somewhere on the Apache Junction/Mesa border) - are there such options for her?
Also, is there a website or something listing the major metropolitan wireless freenets? Seattle Wireless shows some, but not all. Is there any such activity going on in Phoenix?
I have always thought that for a software company, it would probably be a good way to start out:
Develop a piece of software to alpha/beta quality, then find a company that would like to use the software. Offer some form of a deal where they get the software "free" and future updates "free", in exchange for some seed money.
Ok, so at first it wouldn't be "free", but if the company grows and the software becomes something big (ie, you get many more clients), they might make out better on their investment - plus they would provide that needed beta testing/improvement suggesting support you as a software developer would need (and maybe also keep you from making major business mistakes in the software prior to a real release).
That some of the really large constructs use a steel inner skeleton for support...
I love to work on cars when I can, and when I understand the problem/solution. I regret not taking auto shop in high school (I took way too much computer programming for the easy "A"). So I am learning/playing now. Now that I have my Bronco, I don't have to worry about screwing up too badly - it is old, parts are cheap (when they can be found), and it isn't too complicated - most complex thing seems to be the carb (which I barely understand - sometime later I plan on buying an old, but functional, carb and a book, and sit down at a bench, tear it down then rebuild it, to learn how the damn thing really works - like I would with software). If I screw up, I can still drive to work in my Ranger...
I have been playing with VR and related equipment since 1992. Yes - the technology exists, but it is still too expensive - and no matter what, the issue regarding simulation sickness will likely always be there (though promising work on vestibular stimulation has been done). It has been put together, and it is still expensive. The most recent HMD I own is a CyberEye - it is a "pro-level" HMD - new it cost around $1500.00 - I picked mine up used on Ebay for around $300.00 (including 3DOF tracker! a steal). It is nice, but its FOV is limited. Resolution is pretty good, 640x480. It is very lightweight (about a quarter of the weight of a StuntMaster HMD), even with the tracker attached. I think part of the problem keeping HMDs from coming down in price due to lack of market penetration is user perception - most of the gamers who used early consumer HMDs like the Stuntmaster, CyberMaxx, Forte VFX-1 and i-glasses remembered the crappy resolution, washed out colors, and limited FOV, plus the greater weight. So they have preconceived notions about what an HMD is - most have never put on a real HMD (the latest Visettes are a good example of an arcade/pro HMD - but there are better research/pro level HMDs out there). Furthermore, most haven't experienced real immersive VR (makes DDR look like a walk in the park exercise-wise)...
I agree - I live in Phoenix, Arizona - and one of the large home builders here is Del Webb. They sell homes for the standard six figures and up. Stick frame, shit construction (hey, it is shit to me if it isn't at least block construction). Out near Surprise, AZ, though is the fabulous place known as Sun City. Del Webb basically plopped down an entire city for senior living in the middle of the desert. One of their late offerring has ben "Sun City Grand by Del Webb" - the prices of these homes start at around $80,000. You look at these homes, and they are the exact same thing as the stick frame homes built for regular people elsewhere in the valley, selling for six figures. So why the difference? Because regular people supposedly can afford it, and the pocket the extra, that's why...
It is nearly impossible to work on them yourself!
I currently own three cars - a 1979 Ford Bronco (400M-Block - 6.6L!) for "recreation", a 1994 Ford Ranger (2.3L 4-cyl) for myself, and my wife has a 1997 Dodge Neon (2.0L 4-cyl).
Whenever I am working on the Neon, I feel like I need the hands of child to get to some areas (ie, to loosen a bolt that shifts the alternator, so you can remove one of the belts, you have to remove the air duct/shroud, and you *still* scrape your knuckles). Other parts are nearly impossible to get to because other crap (like fuel lines or such that are difficult to move) are in the way - or they were installed at the factory when the engine was out of the car, making it impossible to get to. I don't even want to talk about changing the timing belt (likely nearly impossible to do at home given clearance issues).
My Ranger, on the other hand, is a lot more forgiving. Some parts are difficult to get to (and the person who decided the intake manifold should go over the top of the spark plugs should be shot), but most things can be reached pretty easily.
The Bronco? There is enough room under the hood that I can nearly climb in and shut it down on me. All parts are easily accessible, no huge and funky wiring harnesses in the way, parts are clear and easy to see, plenty of room - OMFG, a dream to work on.
I shudder to think what future cars will be like - the way things are going, they are wanting to *make* you take them to the dealer to get them worked on, even if you understand the problem yourself and can get the parts, simply because some special tool or other gizmo is required just to work on the damn thing. I keep expecting to see security screws/bolts/nuts to appear on newer cars - hasn't happened yet, but I am sure it will happen sometime.
Yeah, they really do want to bolt the hood down on ya!