I realize it probably sounds like a good idea, but screening and training volunteers is likely to be even more expensive than keeping the minimal crew they have operating the rover now.
Ditto on the API and "simple prototyping program," although I'm not even sure what that second thing even it supposed to be. Just writing the software would be expensive, not to mention you now have to have NASA people reviewing what comes in.
Driving rovers probably sounds a lot easier than it is. Commands are strung together in sequences. Sequences have to be checked to make sure they don't have conflicting commands. Instruments have to be taken into account; it's not just driving around that is being done.
And then there is the intense analysis and investigation that has to be done if something goes wrong. Reports have to be written explaining everything down to the bit level.
On top of that there is planning to be done to even decide where to drive, which involves a whole lot of people.
There is not only no money to be saved by handing operations over to "the community," there is also the probability that if you did the rover would be ruined within a few days.
Then I assume since you grew up surrounded by cars you have managed to become an adept mechanic?
Or since you've been surrounded by books from an early age you have become a proficient writer? (hint: the answer here is 'no' based on your grammar and spelling).
Or any number of other examples of things you were surrounded by since birth but might not have become expert at.
Actually, your second point IS the middle. The logical third point would be, there are those who think Kurzweil is a genius and is spot on about the future.
"He is saying people shouldn't speak anonymously; which is the corner stone of freedom of speech."
Here it is a usually a cornerstone of just being a jerk. The fact that someone was down voted for suggesting that we behave in a civil manner is pathetic.
"Do you pay to drive from one end of a WalMart parking lot to the other? It's private. Why aren't there any tolls?"
Two thoughts on that.
1. They don't charge tolls because they don't want to irritate potential customers. 2. The are charging a toll. It's built into the cost of their products.
As long as you're going for novelty why not a Jerry Garcia stamp? When you lick it you're dosed with a small amount of LSD. Initially the stamp is simply a black and white image, but after a few minutes, wow!
What do you mean, "in the future?" I live in L.A. where Obama has caused traffic jams from street closures many times on his fund raising visits here. Without any special devices being built into our cars.
I've been perusing the Google Fiber site trying to understand how it works. Is Google going to be the ISP? Are they just working with local ISPs to implement some of this?
And if I get Google fiber who is in charge of making sure I can't get all the content of the web at equal speeds?
"Why would you do that to yourself and deny yourself the essential pleasure of eating?"
Not everyone is a foodie. Me, for instance. I consider eating to be a hassle and something that just gets in the way of other more interesting things. If I could do away sleeping as well, all the better.
Having said that I doubt I could do this 100% of the time.
Slashdot Mirror
"All this crying about it being a slippery slope isn't making us any safer."
I don't know anything about slippery slopes, but I do seem to recall a famous quote about something to do with eternal vigilance and freedom.
"People who get regular sex are happier and more productive."
You misspelled reproductive.
I realize it probably sounds like a good idea, but screening and training volunteers is likely to be even more expensive than keeping the minimal crew they have operating the rover now.
Ditto on the API and "simple prototyping program," although I'm not even sure what that second thing even it supposed to be. Just writing the software would be expensive, not to mention you now have to have NASA people reviewing what comes in.
Driving rovers probably sounds a lot easier than it is. Commands are strung together in sequences. Sequences have to be checked to make sure they don't have conflicting commands. Instruments have to be taken into account; it's not just driving around that is being done.
And then there is the intense analysis and investigation that has to be done if something goes wrong. Reports have to be written explaining everything down to the bit level.
On top of that there is planning to be done to even decide where to drive, which involves a whole lot of people.
There is not only no money to be saved by handing operations over to "the community," there is also the probability that if you did the rover would be ruined within a few days.
Well, you got the wrong president's name, but you do have a point.
Then I assume since you grew up surrounded by cars you have managed to become an adept mechanic?
Or since you've been surrounded by books from an early age you have become a proficient writer? (hint: the answer here is 'no' based on your grammar and spelling).
Or any number of other examples of things you were surrounded by since birth but might not have become expert at.
Actually, your second point IS the middle. The logical third point would be, there are those who think Kurzweil is a genius and is spot on about the future.
That's a really crass and condescending comment. I went back to school at age 45, got a masters in CS and landed a really cool job upon graduation.
Life is not static.
"He is saying people shouldn't speak anonymously; which is the corner stone of freedom of speech."
Here it is a usually a cornerstone of just being a jerk. The fact that someone was down voted for suggesting that we behave in a civil manner is pathetic.
"So is it me or are they creating batteries out of just about everything?"
It's not just you. http://hilaroad.com/camp/proje...
"The problem lies in the definition of "just" - the term is too subjective."
Then let me define it for you. The laws apply evenly and equally to everyone.
There just aren't enough mod points for this post. We will have a decent society when we have a just society.
Yes, a tired one.
"Do you pay to drive from one end of a WalMart parking lot to the other? It's private. Why aren't there any tolls?"
Two thoughts on that.
1. They don't charge tolls because they don't want to irritate potential customers.
2. The are charging a toll. It's built into the cost of their products.
As long as you're going for novelty why not a Jerry Garcia stamp? When you lick it you're dosed with a small amount of LSD. Initially the stamp is simply a black and white image, but after a few minutes, wow!
"I hope you also realize how difficult it is to loose [sic] weight and stay fit as you age; Jim was 58."
Perhaps that is why they say that the best way to get in shape is not to get out of shape.
"there is tech a few years off that will make them even safer.there is tech a few years off that will make them even safer."
Just like the singularity it seems that improved battery tech is always about 5-10 years down the road.
"cold fjord is a communist trying to subvert the principles the US was founded on."
So is the US government. Does that make them commies, too?
"Almost every decent computer security expert dabbled in black-hating a little"
Oh, my. I had no idea that the computer security field was so rife with racists.
There's a word for people like you. I can't quite recall what it is at the moment, but I know there is a word for people like you.
What do you mean, "in the future?" I live in L.A. where Obama has caused traffic jams from street closures many times on his fund raising visits here. Without any special devices being built into our cars.
"You forgot some pertinent facts: The U.S. has a long history of funding terrorists, supporting coups, and undermining democracies."
True, but I think all that was just practice for undermining our own democracy.
You have to go shallow and wide before you know where you want to go deep.
I've been perusing the Google Fiber site trying to understand how it works. Is Google going to be the ISP? Are they just working with local ISPs to implement some of this?
And if I get Google fiber who is in charge of making sure I can't get all the content of the web at equal speeds?
"Why would you do that to yourself and deny yourself the essential pleasure of eating?"
Not everyone is a foodie. Me, for instance. I consider eating to be a hassle and something that just gets in the way of other more interesting things. If I could do away sleeping as well, all the better.
Having said that I doubt I could do this 100% of the time.
Food isn't supposed to cause that much drama.