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User: Angram

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  1. Re:bah on MS Psychologist on How We Read · · Score: 2, Informative

    I'm an undergrad interning in an eye-tracking lab. Suffice to say, I know a whole lot more about this than most people here. The fact is, it's going to take you a LOT longer to read the corrupt passages. All this effect illustrates is the capability of the human brain to unscramble words on-the-fly, using large amounts of context. The effect shows that that letter order is important. Heck, you could time yourself on a passage using your watch and note the difference. In eye-tracking research, word-level effect sizes are measured in milliseconds, and this exercise will probably give you a difference in seconds (that's preposterously massive).

  2. Re:Stuff from Cingular tech support on Major Problems with Cingular Network · · Score: 1

    Yup. The contract is two-way. You agree to pay them, they agree to provide a service. They've let down their end, leaving them in breach of contract, so you're free to go.

  3. Full Release Available! on Fanimatrix - The Matrix Re-done By Fans · · Score: 1

    In case you were wondering, the Full Release just came out.

  4. Re:Here's a question... on 3rd Lawsuit Against VeriSign Seeks Class Action · · Score: 1

    Considering that your intent is to down VeriSign, it's irrelevant what combination of numbers you technically "attack".

  5. Re:I doubt that they will match the Matrix. on Fanimatrix - The Matrix Re-done By Fans · · Score: 1

    Since when does the number "one" implicitly refer to Satan? Trinity is Neo's love in this, but according to you he's Satan and should therefore be fighting her.

    Neo means "new" which, combined with "one", makes perfect sense and a nice play on words to illustrate his character in the movie - no Satan necessary.

    Trinity means a group of three, and I find it more convincing that it refers to her than Christian theology. Perhaps its a reference to 1) her in the Matrix, 2) her in the "real world" 3) her as Neo's lover. I'm sure someone can think of a better trinity than that, but it beats the Christian one, which would be completely out of place.

    Morpheus is the Greek/Roman god of dreams. What more perfect name could they give him? The Matrix is essentially a "dream world", and he pulls Neo out and puts him back in at will (initially).

    Nebuchadnezzar II restored an empire to its former glory. In the Matrix, the ship brings Neo.

    I have no clue where you're getting the whole "rightful path of obedience" thing. I frankly have no idea what you're talking about.

    Oh, and why would someone's brain explode at the concept of The Matrix, and when did Hollywood sewers get here? Seems more like you found some religiously offensive "meaning" that offends you, and are now crusading against it. Some of this stuff may refer to your God, some may not. Whatever the case, I highly doubt this film is intentionally Satanic.

  6. Better, not smaller on Nokia 7600 All-in-One Phone · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Smaller phones would be more nuisance than gain - the keys and screen are as small as they can get and still remain useful for most people. What we need is lighter and more ergonomic phones - same general size, but a better and less bulky shape. Consider the fact that many clip their phone to their belt, yet it isn't in any way designed for such a purpose - you always have a box jutting out from your side. Why not make it crescent-shaped? It could hug your belt, remain closer to your body, and be less likely to smash into things (rounded outside, more like a dome-shape than present).

  7. Re:Hey! on Author of Paper Critical of Microsoft is Fired · · Score: 0, Troll

    You forgot Ctrl+A! That's the most important one!

    Having to hit Ctrl+Home then Ctrl+Shift+End got on my nerves.

  8. Lesson in Sharing on File-Sharing Ethics Taught In Classrooms? · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think the RIAA must have missed the kindergarten lesson on sharing.

  9. Re:Suddenly on Kazaa Sues Record Labels · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Democrats and Republicans have relatively minor differences - they have a few key issues they squabble over, but are essentially the same when you get down to the basics. Think of it like humans and bonobos (closest species) - we look different, but nearly all of our DNA is the same. We've got the same kidneys as chimps (and rats, etc.), just as both parties both listen to lobbying groups with big pockets, not "ordinary" people. Just as both use polls to determine their stance on "minor" issues. Just as both make big promises to get into office, then forget all about what they said. Just as both consistantly break every moral and legal standard to further their careers (don't call me cynical, call me realistic - it's not all of them, but it's most as far as I can tell, from villiage mayors and appointed traffic court judges up to congressmen and presidents). Just as both fall into line with the party to keep the funds flowing. Just as both squelch out independents from debates. Just as both manipulate the media. The list goes on. I don't like it one bit - I won't vote for any of them, because I think they're all terrible. The whole "lesser of two evils" deal is a waste - you're still voting evil.

    On election day, I go down to the polls and register a "protest vote" - I pull up the write in for any position, leave it blank, and pull the level. I make my point simply - I take voting seriously, and always take the time to do it, but I don't see anyone worth voting for. The Republicans are cutting down trees, the Democrats are censoring CDs, I don't trust the Greens with a war or the Conservatives with taxes.

    Whatever the case, voting based on computer issues is a poor choice for anyone to make, since it would require overlooking every other issue, and voting against your own beliefs (unless you happen to completely agree with some candidate, in which case the computer issue probably didn't change anything).

  10. Re:Suddenly on Kazaa Sues Record Labels · · Score: 1

    You're thinking along different lines - if the 51% was in 100% concentrated in one area, then it would be as you said. I specifically stated that it would have to be a consistant mixture - 51% of people in all areas, spread out. In such a situation, they would control every election in the nation. Since Amendments and laws are at the discretion of politicians, slavery is quite possible.

    For the record, I'm a University student brought up near New York city. Besides that, why are you knocking the midwest?

  11. Re:Suddenly on Kazaa Sues Record Labels · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Why would they debate these issues? The population that cares is so small that even if 100% of it voted by it alone, it wouldn't be a fraction of a percent worth considering. Democracy is ruled by the majority - if you're in the minority (in this case people who understand or care about computers), you don't matter. If 51% of a the US (or substantially less, if there are at least 3 major candidates for political offices) wants to enslave the other 49%, they can. That's what's wrong with democracy on this scale - you have ~290 million people in the country, and 144 million wouldn't matter if they all voted (assuming the majority all voted as well). If there were 5 major parties (or just 5 real candidates) for every office, you could easily have a quarter of the population subjugate the rest, so long as the population was consistant in its ideological breakdown.

    Democracy only works in small units with free movement between - small areas make rules, and if you don't like them you go somewhere more in line with your views.

    The US is big and bloated - corporations control because there are political parties, which exist because so many offices and positions have to work together to get anything done. Like it or not, democracy is doomed to fail when it gets too large (not that other systems are better - anything on such a scale will die the same). The more people you please, the more you anger- evidence of this has been piling up as far back as you can look in human history.

    If you want a country where computers are the top priority, the entire poluation has to be content with every larger issue, or else their crusade to fix computers will result in the minority overthrowing them on major issues.

  12. Confidence... and a program layout idea on Word Processors: One Writer's Retreat · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I regularly have to "fix" all sorts of "problems" for friends and family, whether over the phone or with them looking over my shoulder - they aren't "stupid" or "lazy", they just lack confidence. All of them have experience hitting some key or other and having the computer crash (Windows ME was a huge confidence-crusher all-around). They've learned that doing the "wrong" thing, which is usually just hitting the wrong key or the wrong menu item, destroys what they've done or activates something they don't want and don't know how to get rid of (typically don't know what it is or how it got there). My advice has always been "if you don't know, ask me instead of poking around" - while it may disparage learning and waste my time, it's better than the alternative (from over-the-phone rants about technology to completely reformatting hard drives).

    They aren't stupid or lazy - they lack confidence. "Help" menus may have gotten considerably better over the years (so I now tell people to try them first), but they gave up on them years ago, when they lacked useful (step-by-step) information and were difficult to navigate.

    What's needed is a set of evolving program layouts - from "Minimal" to "Full" (essentially Novice to Expert), with a simple search tool to allow users to find features when they are first needed and then allow users add them to the toolbars and menus (perhaps leaving them in some sort of "highlighted" mode for the first week or so).

  13. Re:Average Eye for the Geek Guy on Geek Eye for the Average Guy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Sounds like the same concept as "Queer Eye" - getting some slob laid.

  14. Re:Will this improve Red Hat usability + friendlie on Red Hat Linux Project Merges With Fedora · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I completely agree with everything you just said. I started back with DOS, moved through every version of Windows, and am sought out by friends and family to take care of computer problems. I make no claim to be a "computer expert" as they label me, but I can do just about anything I need to do, and have no trouble figuring out anything that pops up. I bought the Red Hat Linux Bible (9.0), and installed it. I found myself completely lost. Sure, the book got it set up, but I have no idea how to do anything - from navigating directories to updating drivers. I abandoned it after a week, and until I can find some sort of useful guide, I can't see myself investing more time in dead ends. I really wanted to get into Linux and ditch Microsoft permanently, but I was heartily let down by useability.

    Once I know what I'm doing, I'll switch my family and friends, but it doesn't look like that will happen any time soon.

  15. Re:Good timing! on Microsoft Offers A DRM Patch · · Score: 1

    I'm guessing it'll be part of the next major update (e.g. SP1).

  16. Lawsuits? on Magnets To Replace Bluetooth? · · Score: 1

    If someone is using one of these and it knocks out your laptop, etc., who do you sue? The manufacturer for producing a damaging product, or the user, who probably didn't know any better?

  17. Re:tagging bills together on Microsoft Money Leads To Street-Legal Porsche 959s · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    70mph on a dry road with little traffic is safer than 50mph in fog in the rush hour.

    50mph during rush hour? On a foggy day? Where are you from and what are you smoking? Try 50 feet/hour. If you're lucky. And driving away from the city. On the sidewalk.

  18. Re:Um...... on Space Elevator Going Up · · Score: 1

    It wouldn't have to equal the mass of the Earth - we're not trying to make the cable the center of an Earth-counterweight co-revolutionary system here. It just has to be massive enough that the centrifugal force on it would be enough to hold taut the cable. Tie a rock to a string and swing it around - the string remains taut, but the rock isn't your weight!

  19. So Many Buttons! on Logitech Ships 500 Millionth Mouse · · Score: 1

    I'm using a Kensington Optical Elite mouse. It's got a button for every finger, plus you can program 2 combos, giving you functionally 7 programmable buttons and a wheel. Who needs a Start Menu when you can program a Pop-Up menu into any button?

    20 bucks at Circuit City - can't beat it.

  20. Re:Excellent! on RIAA Sues 12-Year Old Girl · · Score: 2, Funny

    Drug dealers are using 12-year-old girls to illegally share music through P2P applications?

    [Shakes fist in air]
    Those bastards!! What heinous crime will they commit next?!

  21. Mmm...Funding on Windows Cheaper When Studied by MSFT Analysts · · Score: 1

    Who do you think funded the studies that say that chocolate is healthy? M&M Mars, of course - they've got deep pockets and can gain from the results. While it's possible they influenced the findings, it's also likely they were the only people who would fund such a project.

    Privately-funded research comes from those who have something at stake. It can taint a paper, but it can also be groundbreaking. Wait until a major discovered paid for by an involved party has been verified by someone else before you believe or disbelieve it.

  22. Re:You don't think. on RIAA Sues 261 Major P2P Offenders · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You can break a law if you're willing to live with the consequences - many American revolutionaries died for their cause, many were imprisoned, and a few were left to be called "forefathers". If you're willing to face the jail time or shoulder the finincial reprecussions of file sharing, go right ahead. Civil disobedience only works when a huge number of people participate - the US civil rights movement had many casualties, but the majority of those involved were willing to become martyrs, so they were undeterred (or strengthened, perhaps) when their brothers-in-arms (unarmed as they were) were taken down.

    You have the right to rebel, but they have the right to stop you. If enough people believe in a cause and are willing to die for it (or go to jail, etc.), they can make a difference quickly.

  23. Warning: Reality Ahead on RIAA Parses 'P2P' As 'Peer 2 Porn' · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I suppose we should put them on the insides of people's eyelids, as well. You can be 'exposed to pornography' walking down the street.

  24. Re:Great Excuse on Adrian Lamo Charged With Hacking · · Score: 1

    The door isn't open, the keys aren't in the ignition - he's picking locks and hotwiring. This sort of 'hacking' isn't about going through the front door - there's no link on their webpage to get you in - it's about finding unguarded entry points, etc.

    If someone left a note in my car saying that they could have stolen it, I wouldn't be pleased (to say the least). It's my job to ensure the security of my car, not his. If a company wants better security, they can put out a call for white hats - it's their decision to make. You can't just break laws because you want to, and it doesn't matter whether the victim suffers a physical loss or not (though it's quite possible some security personnel could lose jobs for leaving holes open).

    Vigilante justice isn't justice at all - leave policing to the police, and security to the owner. No matter your intentions or potential benefits of your actions, you have no right to violate others. If someone pre-emptively murdered Hitler because they saw his terrible potential, they would still be a murderer and criminal - that's the way the legal system works.

  25. Re:Trojan, or propaganda? on Taiwan Under Cyber Attack from China · · Score: 1

    I have very basic html knowledge, which gets me by in most situations. Try reading the first response to my original post, and my response to it. No need to insult me for an honest mistake.