Yes twice as deadly... but... perspective
on
A Flu Pandemic?
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
Before people jump on my back saying I'm an evil heartless person... I'm just putting things in to perspective. I don't want a pandemic to break out, but I'm just looking at this with an objective eye.
I'm assuming that 'twice as deadly', as meaning killing twice the number of people.
Yes, the new flu virus may will kill twice as many people as the 1918 pandemic did, however our population has more than tripled since the beginning of last century.
Lets say that the numbers are true. 40 million people died in the 1918, with a world population of, say, 2 billion people. This would mean that there was a 2% death rate.
Now, say in 2005, 80 million people die, with a world population of say 6.45 billion. The death rate would be 1.2% of the total world population.
That's 0.8% lower, than it was in the past. Actual numbers will most likely be less, with better technology, better sanitation in many parts of the world, and an understanding of genetics.
The numbers are here to scare people, and sell headlines.
Specifically Roger highspeed cable internet provider. They have disconnect a few of my client's computers, due to being infected with some trojan/spyware/virus etc.
After my clients said on the phone, that "I will try and maintain a infected free computer , and run current antivirus software", they reconnect my clients.
I don't actually so mind that they disconnect people, if they are infected with some sort of virus. Saves the rest of the people from being infect.
Who needs stem cell research it for "recreational" use. I've got a mail box full of 'enhancing' growth pills. And I'm sure they didn't use stem cell research to get those 'doctor' approved pills to add inches etc...
Clients need to feel like they're getting some bang for their buck. So why not give them more buggy software, but this time they have an excuse, it's beta.
You have godaddy.com which is alot cheaper. Others maybe cheaper...
With godaddy, you can subscribe for a few years, I know at least 6 years in advance. I can't remember if it's more.
With the money you tie up, you can invest, use the investment earnings to pay for more years or hosting. Or even better yet, free beer for your friends.:)
I'm not affiliated with godaddy, they're just my domain name registrar.
You could get someone to make you a bezel, and wouldn't cost you much.
~$50 bucks... with labour. if it's a simple job.
Call around, and check out some of your local machinists... it it's just there to hold your LCD in place, probably some thin aluminum extrusions would do the trick. Might even look cool.:)
"In a couple more minutes, I was writing programs that created graphical displays that would look great at raves. So I guess it's for kids of all ages!"
May we see some of your art work (screenshots, or source)?
At my old company, just hold out signing the contract, for as long as possible.
We just kept on saying, oh yeah I forgot, you'll get it later... sorry been really busy right now with work.
Until they say something to the effect: - we will send you home without pay until you sign this contract. - don't come in until you sign this contract. - we will fire you if you don't. - you cannot work for us anymore until you sign this contract... -...etc.....etc...
Of course there are more subtile ways of them saying something to the above effects.
What the intention of this tactic is, is to make them make you sign under duress. Which makes it null and void.
Besure that they say it with witnesses around (hopefully they are all doing the same thing you are, playing the waiting game). Or have them correspond with you via email. And have these emails printed out.
When Telus (fully) enters the DSL market in Ontario, we should Ontarians should see some price competitions.
Telus is offering high speed DSL service for $79.95 (including modem)
Downstream speed up to 2.5 Mbps1
Upstream speed up to 640 Kbps
5 e-mail boxes
30 MB Webspace
5 dynamic IP addresses
Domain hosting - Included
6 GB/month Internet connection traffic (5 GB/month down, 1 GB/month up)
Unlimited hours with high-speed connection
10 hours dial access per month for when you're away from your high-speed connection, $1.50 per hour overtime
Expert technical support
Satisfaction guarantee
Now, Rogers is offering
128 Kbps UP/1.5 Mbps DOWN
1 ip
(don't know about email, cause I don't trust their server uptimes)
5 megs webpage
blah blah...
Bell DSl isn't much better, than rogers, other than it's DSL (you know the trade offs)
Personally I think the service stinks everywhere, and CRTC won't do anything about it, because it's not cable, radio, television, or telephone service. It's internet... which they are not monitoring, or governing, yet if ever.
Shaw cable, when there were in Ontario, was great, high speeds both up and down. Things didn't break too often to complain about.
Well... enough ranting... atleast we have choice... well ones that are close enough to a CO for DSL.
Wonder if Look.ca/Look.com (Look communications) still has wireless digital internet?
Horray for Ontarians and their choices:
1.) Bad [Bell]
2.) Bad, if not Worse [Rogers]
3.) Don't know yet, but will be coming soon [Telus]
4.) dead [Look]
5.) dialup [is this the same as 4?]
6.) high cost Small business DSL lines [misc companies, and really expensive for home use]
When dealing with paypal, and you're a foreign user... you're guilty in their eyes first... and it's *your* responsibility to *prove* to them you're innocent.
I've had to deal with Paypal twice in regards to this... and thus I will never do so again... though I did *prove* to them I wasn't committing fraud.
It's a great service, if you want them to hold onto your money and never let it go.
Great service until you think about what they do...
they take your money, and charge you service fees, banks take your money and no fees.
banks give you interest on your accounts.
paypal, no.
banks don't charge you a service fee while closing your account.
paypal does!
summary, paypal is a ripoff.
Just think about it, before using their service...
As a avid Mountain Biker, I find it's important to keep my knees safe. Because you can do quite a lot of damage to your knees when you put excessive strain on them. By not fully extending your knees (usually from a bent position to 179 degrees [almost straight]) during each revolution while peddling is important.
However, this product does not do anything, other then make your knees practice short repetive strokes.
You might get a slight cardio workout, but it'd be easier, and more pleasant experience to goto the local gym. Don't try to cheat yourself, into thinking you're going to actually get into shape with a gimicy product such as this.
You'll by the product, start using it... till you start losing [because you can't peddle enough], and you'll switch back to the good old KB/Mouse combo, and frag someone. Then it'll be another toy that's stuck in the closet.
Or you can buy a gym membership at a gym where good looking women [or men] are at, and then be in bliss. I'm not sure for you people, but usually looking good increases sexually fertility, then playing a kick arse game of quake.
Don't think you'll do both... when was the last time you liked losing?
I just finished university, and I don't want to do anymore schooling...
I learn by example. Being a code monkey that is currently on the task of fixing bugs, I learn alot that way. This teaches me currently used, and accepted technologies (C++, COM, and multiple SQL DB languages)
New technologies are not always applicable to your work. What the heck are you going to do with *TECHNOLOGY Z* when you work with *TECHNOLOGY A*... they don't relate... Is my employer to educated me on something that is not relevant with their business?
My employer does spend money on training... but training is boring... I sat through a week of training, on how to use a source control program. I feel asleep in my chair... (thank God for high back chairs, that are ergonomically correct)... the training is so useful, that we as developers started to pick apart the program they were training us on...
Anyways... training is boring, unless you want to learn it yourself... What alot of places do, is allow you the employee a refund on courses you take. So say, if I wantted to take a Java course, I could go, pay for it, take it, pass it, and then the company would pay me back [if not all, most of the cost]. Therefore they know it's not wasted, and if I wantted to take it, not them forcing me too.
I don't know of that many ad proxies. But one that works well, I find, are:
ATGauard 3.22 (windows)... (just a stand alone proxy). [This program blocks ads, via a list of usual ad names... such as.adclick.com/ will block out all data from *.adclick.com]
Mozzilla has one (all supported OSs) [I don't know how this works, never really checked it out]
Taxi (MacOS, which blocks adds by image dimensions, and I think by url reference as well [lick ATGuard], but can't remember).
If you people know more, post them... long live freedom from advertising.
Man... I remember I was a co-sysop for a BBS in Toronto...
I had access to the dos command prompt, so I decided to change some of the ansi graphics of the star ships...
this whole PHP3, and SQL stuff, combined with a slow host/provider, doesn't stir up any good emotions when you try to blow up that starship that tried to blow you up last week.
Or have the ability to takeover a planet (that I noticed) that was artificially created by some other guy with a genesis missile... go figure...
It would be nice to have a more graphical interface (even it it was just coloured text)... instead of this standard colour default browser colour scheme.
Slashdot Mirror
Before people jump on my back saying I'm an evil heartless person... I'm just putting things in to perspective. I don't want a pandemic to break out, but I'm just looking at this with an objective eye.
I'm assuming that 'twice as deadly', as meaning killing twice the number of people.
Yes, the new flu virus may will kill twice as many people as the 1918 pandemic did, however our population has more than tripled since the beginning of last century.
Lets say that the numbers are true. 40 million people died in the 1918, with a world population of, say, 2 billion people. This would mean that there was a 2% death rate.
Now, say in 2005, 80 million people die, with a world population of say 6.45 billion. The death rate would be 1.2% of the total world population.
That's 0.8% lower, than it was in the past. Actual numbers will most likely be less, with better technology, better sanitation in many parts of the world, and an understanding of genetics.
The numbers are here to scare people, and sell headlines.
Specifically Roger highspeed cable internet provider. They have disconnect a few of my client's computers, due to being infected with some trojan/spyware/virus etc.
After my clients said on the phone, that "I will try and maintain a infected free computer , and run current antivirus software", they reconnect my clients.
I don't actually so mind that they disconnect people, if they are infected with some sort of virus. Saves the rest of the people from being infect.
Who needs stem cell research it for "recreational" use. I've got a mail box full of 'enhancing' growth pills. And I'm sure they didn't use stem cell research to get those 'doctor' approved pills to add inches etc...
:D
If you want, I could forward them to you.
cheers.
A nice move to make corperate clients happy.
Clients need to feel like they're getting some bang for their buck. So why not give them more buggy software, but this time they have an excuse, it's beta.
IMHO, It's just to nice marketing ploy.
I like the following games, which can kills hours, and they used a mouse.
Tetris, Bejeweled [lots of popcap gameshttp://www.popcap.com/], Hexen.
Cheers.
Do the astronauts get frequent flyer miles for this trip?
Anyone else ever thought that the sims was a glorified doll house game?
Probably why I never play it... dolls and doll houses don't interest me. I'm not saying it shouldn't interest you, it just doesn't interest me.
You have godaddy.com which is alot cheaper. Others maybe cheaper...
:)
With godaddy, you can subscribe for a few years, I know at least 6 years in advance. I can't remember if it's more.
With the money you tie up, you can invest, use the investment earnings to pay for more years or hosting. Or even better yet, free beer for your friends.
I'm not affiliated with godaddy, they're just my domain name registrar.
What about spoofed messages from people on my list?
Worms, from infected email systems?
The researchers didn't address this.
You could get someone to make you a bezel, and wouldn't cost you much.
:)
~$50 bucks... with labour. if it's a simple job.
Call around, and check out some of your local machinists... it it's just there to hold your LCD in place, probably some thin aluminum extrusions would do the trick. Might even look cool.
I see a old computer monitor... with nothing playing on it.
I think this is a joke, anyone want to confirm?
"In a couple more minutes, I was writing programs that created graphical displays that would look great at raves. So I guess it's for kids of all ages!"
May we see some of your art work (screenshots, or source)?
My variable names usually are forced into be changed after a code review by my peers...
They don't have that funny bone, when the code is going to be in production software, and maintance by others.
It's a professional image thing...
At my old company, just hold out signing the contract, for as long as possible.
...etc.. ...etc...
We just kept on saying, oh yeah I forgot, you'll get it later... sorry been really busy right now with work.
Until they say something to the effect:
- we will send you home without pay until you sign this contract.
- don't come in until you sign this contract.
- we will fire you if you don't.
- you cannot work for us anymore until you sign this contract...
-
Of course there are more subtile ways of them saying something to the above effects.
What the intention of this tactic is, is to make them make you sign under duress. Which makes it null and void.
Besure that they say it with witnesses around (hopefully they are all doing the same thing you are, playing the waiting game). Or have them correspond with you via email. And have these emails printed out.
When Telus (fully) enters the DSL market in Ontario, we should Ontarians should see some price competitions.
Telus is offering high speed DSL service for $79.95 (including modem)
Downstream speed up to 2.5 Mbps1
Upstream speed up to 640 Kbps
5 e-mail boxes
30 MB Webspace
5 dynamic IP addresses
Domain hosting - Included
6 GB/month Internet connection traffic (5 GB/month down, 1 GB/month up)
Unlimited hours with high-speed connection
10 hours dial access per month for when you're away from your high-speed connection, $1.50 per hour overtime
Expert technical support
Satisfaction guarantee
Now, Rogers is offering
128 Kbps UP/1.5 Mbps DOWN
1 ip
(don't know about email, cause I don't trust their server uptimes)
5 megs webpage
blah blah...
Bell DSl isn't much better, than rogers, other than it's DSL (you know the trade offs)
Personally I think the service stinks everywhere, and CRTC won't do anything about it, because it's not cable, radio, television, or telephone service. It's internet... which they are not monitoring, or governing, yet if ever.
Shaw cable, when there were in Ontario, was great, high speeds both up and down. Things didn't break too often to complain about.
Well... enough ranting... atleast we have choice... well ones that are close enough to a CO for DSL.
Wonder if Look.ca/Look.com (Look communications) still has wireless digital internet?
Horray for Ontarians and their choices:
1.) Bad [Bell]
2.) Bad, if not Worse [Rogers]
3.) Don't know yet, but will be coming soon [Telus]
4.) dead [Look]
5.) dialup [is this the same as 4?]
6.) high cost Small business DSL lines [misc companies, and really expensive for home use]
Heh... paypal's on my cellphone speed dial.
1-888-221-1161
When dealing with paypal, and you're a foreign user... you're guilty in their eyes first... and it's *your* responsibility to *prove* to them you're innocent.
I've had to deal with Paypal twice in regards to this... and thus I will never do so again... though I did *prove* to them I wasn't committing fraud.
It's a great service, if you want them to hold onto your money and never let it go.
Great service until you think about what they do...
they take your money, and charge you service fees, banks take your money and no fees.
banks give you interest on your accounts.
paypal, no.
banks don't charge you a service fee while closing your account.
paypal does!
summary, paypal is a ripoff.
Just think about it, before using their service...
Timex has this item
Only real differences are... this links up to your monitor via flashes on your screen, while the fossil links to you PDA by IR...
AND
the Fossil has lots more memory...
AND
the Timex has that INDIGLO back lite display.
As a avid Mountain Biker, I find it's important to keep my knees safe. Because you can do quite a lot of damage to your knees when you put excessive strain on them. By not fully extending your knees (usually from a bent position to 179 degrees [almost straight]) during each revolution while peddling is important.
However, this product does not do anything, other then make your knees practice short repetive strokes.
You might get a slight cardio workout, but it'd be easier, and more pleasant experience to goto the local gym. Don't try to cheat yourself, into thinking you're going to actually get into shape with a gimicy product such as this.
You'll by the product, start using it... till you start losing [because you can't peddle enough], and you'll switch back to the good old KB/Mouse combo, and frag someone. Then it'll be another toy that's stuck in the closet.
Or you can buy a gym membership at a gym where good looking women [or men] are at, and then be in bliss. I'm not sure for you people, but usually looking good increases sexually fertility, then playing a kick arse game of quake.
Don't think you'll do both... when was the last time you liked losing?
I was doing a project to interface my laptop IRDA port to control my tv, and other devices that use Infra red communication.
:)
The problem is, is that not all IR Ports for computers support the consumer spectrum for IR communication. But the majority does...
So if you're brave, make your own remote, that's programmable with your computer.
All you'll need now, is line of sight between your computer and the mountain of BLACK boxed devices that sit humbly infront of your family room wall.
some useful links include...
lirc and the windows port of it is at winlirc
There are various clients/gui interfaces that you can use, from those links.
if you want to reach me about this:
lloydleung(at)hotmail.(you know where)
NOTE: I'm still working on this...
Darwinian evolution...
Do these primi donna's have a chance to perpetuate?
Or will they eventually mature?
I just finished university, and I don't want to do anymore schooling...
I learn by example. Being a code monkey that is currently on the task of fixing bugs, I learn alot that way. This teaches me currently used, and accepted technologies (C++, COM, and multiple SQL DB languages)
New technologies are not always applicable to your work. What the heck are you going to do with *TECHNOLOGY Z* when you work with *TECHNOLOGY A*... they don't relate... Is my employer to educated me on something that is not relevant with their business?
My employer does spend money on training... but training is boring... I sat through a week of training, on how to use a source control program. I feel asleep in my chair... (thank God for high back chairs, that are ergonomically correct)... the training is so useful, that we as developers started to pick apart the program they were training us on...
Anyways... training is boring, unless you want to learn it yourself... What alot of places do, is allow you the employee a refund on courses you take. So say, if I wantted to take a Java course, I could go, pay for it, take it, pass it, and then the company would pay me back [if not all, most of the cost]. Therefore they know it's not wasted, and if I wantted to take it, not them forcing me too.
As slashdotters, who else are we boycotting?
Amazon, for silly patents and now this...
I don't know of that many ad proxies. But one that works well, I find, are:
.adclick.com/ will block out all data from *.adclick.com]
ATGauard 3.22 (windows)... (just a stand alone proxy). [This program blocks ads, via a list of usual ad names... such as
Mozzilla has one (all supported OSs) [I don't know how this works, never really checked it out]
Taxi (MacOS, which blocks adds by image dimensions, and I think by url reference as well [lick ATGuard], but can't remember).
If you people know more, post them... long live freedom from advertising.
Man... I remember I was a co-sysop for a BBS in Toronto...
I had access to the dos command prompt, so I decided to change some of the ansi graphics of the star ships...
this whole PHP3, and SQL stuff, combined with a slow host/provider, doesn't stir up any good emotions when you try to blow up that starship that tried to blow you up last week.
Or have the ability to takeover a planet (that I noticed) that was artificially created by some other guy with a genesis missile... go figure...
It would be nice to have a more graphical interface (even it it was just coloured text)... instead of this standard colour default browser colour scheme.