Think of a basic operation that a home user does, like a big file copy, and it's easy to see that is best stuffed into another thread so they can continue doing other things rather than sitting and waiting for it to finish.
Thanks for the insight. Maybe you have some other clues for me.
With my 2 year-old dual processor Athlon 1.8, I haven't noticed any better performance over a 2+ Ghz P4 at work, so I wonder if it's worth the money to go dual again. I've done some video encoding (digitizing old VHS to avi) but that still occupies both processors...in other words, I can't touch the computer while it is working.
It seems like I'm wasting the 2nd processor's power for most stuff and even CPU1 is not doing what I was expecting it to do.
Another thing I do have a question about is RAM usage. Is it true that the more RAM one has, the longer the wait between swap file activity? I assume all computers regardless of OS function this way. If this is so, then isn't postponing swap activity just setting the user up for a longer delay when RAM has to write to disk? Maybe this is called latency, from what I've been able to glean, but constantly adding RAM would lead to even longer wait times when the 4GB runs out, no?
I'm ready to see a game that really makes use of modern computers' incredible power for gameplay/AI/physics
I'd like to see some kind of engineering software (a la The Sims) with which you could design in real-time a portion of a refinery or something. Everything from the steel beam selection for the piperacks to the pump selection to the pipe sizing. And then run the simulation and see what happens.
Isn't it a lot more difficult/expensive to code for multi-threaded programs (plus the fact that the vast majority of home users don't have more than one CPU)?
I'm not sure if He is a renewable resource. Any further info on that? I do know that it is incredibly expensive to produce and there are very few plants in the world that can do it.
In 2000 64,000 tons of Uranium were consumed, while 3,600,000,000 tons of coal were produced. Even if Uranium and coal posed the same danger to miners, there'd be about one-fifty-thousandth the deaths.
Think about the lost jobs though. Who would you prefer to have angry at you; A) 10,000 pissed-off, tough-ass miners that work underground in a horrible environment or, B) a million computer people who are mostly out of shape, relatively used to creature comforts and still are angered by BtVS's cancellation?
Even though I'm making a completely invalid comparison in order to whore points, I think the anti-nuke attitude is best, politically.
I'd appreciate that, as I'm currently unemployed (as you might have surmised - arguing on Slashdot is something I wouldn't have time for otherwise). Does Fox pay well?
Tidal power interests me (since it tends to involve pipes:). There are some pilot plants in Nova Scotia/New Brunswick. Full implementation would be a massive project, but it's doable.
If done properly, nucular is safe but you wouldn't want Homer Simpson as an operator. I don't see where cancer comes into the matter.
Probably the best overall solution for power generation is hydroelectricity as is used in Quebec. However, the manpower and dedication needed to create this (not to mention the required geographical features) was monumental. I doubt that this level of project could be successful today.
Sure, but what is the cost of getting that technology into place? Current solar panels are expensive and easily damaged and can only work effectively in certain areas. I agree that the efficiency is going up but it's not at a pace that it can compete with current power generation technologies within the next 30 years.
The US uses coal as the main generator of electricity and that can be cleaned-up by oxygenation. Nukes are also a good option, but since privatization of the power industries tends to create an atmosphere of reluctance to innovate, there is little interest in alternate sources.
The net yield from solar energy is not that great and there are huge infrastucture costs involved. As long as oil, coal and nukes work, there's no incentive to change. Chicken Little doomsaying by the radical environmentalists only hurts their position, but hey, everyone needs a job.
Thanks. I have many faults and you just pointed out one of them. What *did* come out of the discussion was that the "getting arrested for simply wearing a T-shirt" statement was apocryphal. It's good every now and then to angry up the blood and talk as long as no one gets hurt.
Which itself is a house of cards. After all, once rents/house prices exceed people's ability to pay, the whole game falls to pieces. That day is probably coming soon as boomers try to sell their vastly overpriced homes into a market that cannot support it.
Well now, you've raised the stakes. Care to add one Keanu in reply to my James Garner? If you keep this up I'll raise you a Cary Grant and a John Wayne. I'm holding Jim Carey for later.
Well then. I guess we agree that the supposed event that causes people to freak out about their rights has no real precedent.
I agree with you about curbing police powers, I've read 1984 too. I am also very concerned about the increased data collection abilities of the authorities.
These changes don't come quickly, but they will. It doesn't really matter, once the average American says enough, things will change.
How so? From what you quoted, I don't see any spite. "Spite" is defined as being ill will or hatred or malice. None of what I said was an attack or said to illicit angryness. Maybe the word you are loking for is "patronizing". Now *that* I would admit to, although my intent was not to hurt, I was only stating commonly-known psychology. I am an expert in this because I am the Dad of a teenager.:)
Google has become successful by following the rules of good business behaviour. These are:
- offer a product that people want/need
- do it well
- always look to improve and innovate
The good guys win in the face of a jaded public perception of a faceless, uncaring business existence. There can be no better goodwill than that. I am hoping that Google will actually change the world. It probably will.
I think your point was that you couldn't wear an anti-Bush T-shirt at a Bush rally without getting arrested. It was unclear if you were the one that was arrested, or if you were just repeating something you'd heard.
I countered by saying the "free speech zones" were justified because controlling a mass of thousands of people is difficult and crowd control is necessary. You objected to my approval of current crowd control methods.
I've written this as factually as I can, according to my understanding. What was it you wanted to discuss?
Well, *I* thought it was a good plugin. It's good to see that there is some common ground in that we both think the other is an idiot. I know all about that, I have a teenage son.
The topic at hand is/was free speech, not "government thugs/heel of the boot crushes all opposition".
You wrote, You can't even peacefully wear a "No Bush" T-Shirt to a political rally now adays without being arrested for trespassing.
Is that from personal experience of being arrested for doing so or are you just parroting a FOAF? It's always been trendy in pop society to associate with rebels, as it represents the teenage breaking of the womb ties and further reinforces the adolescent's identity.
I'm assuming you're American. Instead of trying to be part of your crowd (which is largely a "look at me and what I'm doing" thing) you should probably let your rep know your opinions and vote.
Slashdot Mirror
Think of a basic operation that a home user does, like a big file copy, and it's easy to see that is best stuffed into another thread so they can continue doing other things rather than sitting and waiting for it to finish.
Thanks for the insight. Maybe you have some other clues for me.
With my 2 year-old dual processor Athlon 1.8, I haven't noticed any better performance over a 2+ Ghz P4 at work, so I wonder if it's worth the money to go dual again. I've done some video encoding (digitizing old VHS to avi) but that still occupies both processors...in other words, I can't touch the computer while it is working.
It seems like I'm wasting the 2nd processor's power for most stuff and even CPU1 is not doing what I was expecting it to do.
Another thing I do have a question about is RAM usage. Is it true that the more RAM one has, the longer the wait between swap file activity? I assume all computers regardless of OS function this way. If this is so, then isn't postponing swap activity just setting the user up for a longer delay when RAM has to write to disk? Maybe this is called latency, from what I've been able to glean, but constantly adding RAM would lead to even longer wait times when the 4GB runs out, no?
I'm ready to see a game that really makes use of modern computers' incredible power for gameplay/AI/physics
I'd like to see some kind of engineering software (a la The Sims) with which you could design in real-time a portion of a refinery or something. Everything from the steel beam selection for the piperacks to the pump selection to the pipe sizing. And then run the simulation and see what happens.
I would expect games to be multi-threaded
Isn't it a lot more difficult/expensive to code for multi-threaded programs (plus the fact that the vast majority of home users don't have more than one CPU)?
Canada: seven bucks.
won't be happy with anything that doesn't run on fairy dust and pot.
Sir, I respectfully suggest that if just because haven't tried something doesn't mean you should not be so quick to dismiss it.
Additionally the coolant used is helium
I'm not sure if He is a renewable resource. Any further info on that? I do know that it is incredibly expensive to produce and there are very few plants in the world that can do it.
In 2000 64,000 tons of Uranium were consumed, while 3,600,000,000 tons of coal were produced. Even if Uranium and coal posed the same danger to miners, there'd be about one-fifty-thousandth the deaths.
Think about the lost jobs though. Who would you prefer to have angry at you; A) 10,000 pissed-off, tough-ass miners that work underground in a horrible environment or, B) a million computer people who are mostly out of shape, relatively used to creature comforts and still are angered by BtVS's cancellation?
Even though I'm making a completely invalid comparison in order to whore points, I think the anti-nuke attitude is best, politically.
I'd appreciate that, as I'm currently unemployed (as you might have surmised - arguing on Slashdot is something I wouldn't have time for otherwise). Does Fox pay well?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Tidal power interests me (since it tends to involve pipes
If done properly, nucular is safe but you wouldn't want Homer Simpson as an operator. I don't see where cancer comes into the matter.
Probably the best overall solution for power generation is hydroelectricity as is used in Quebec. However, the manpower and dedication needed to create this (not to mention the required geographical features) was monumental. I doubt that this level of project could be successful today.
Sure, but what is the cost of getting that technology into place? Current solar panels are expensive and easily damaged and can only work effectively in certain areas. I agree that the efficiency is going up but it's not at a pace that it can compete with current power generation technologies within the next 30 years.
The US uses coal as the main generator of electricity and that can be cleaned-up by oxygenation. Nukes are also a good option, but since privatization of the power industries tends to create an atmosphere of reluctance to innovate, there is little interest in alternate sources.
If you try to access Showtime from outside the US, you get this:
"We at Showtime Online express our apologies; however, these pages are intended for access only from within the United States."
Why? Are they producing some super sekrit content that is not supposed to be seen by non-Americans?
I really want to know because I don't think my life can go on without seeing their site.
The net yield from solar energy is not that great and there are huge infrastucture costs involved. As long as oil, coal and nukes work, there's no incentive to change. Chicken Little doomsaying by the radical environmentalists only hurts their position, but hey, everyone needs a job.
Thanks. I have many faults and you just pointed out one of them. What *did* come out of the discussion was that the "getting arrested for simply wearing a T-shirt" statement was apocryphal. It's good every now and then to angry up the blood and talk as long as no one gets hurt.
secured now mostly by residential real estate.
Which itself is a house of cards. After all, once rents/house prices exceed people's ability to pay, the whole game falls to pieces. That day is probably coming soon as boomers try to sell their vastly overpriced homes into a market that cannot support it.
Asked about this technological development, Harwa said, "You're invading my privacy!".
Good observation. If I were a cop that's what I'd do.
Well now, you've raised the stakes. Care to add one Keanu in reply to my James Garner? If you keep this up I'll raise you a Cary Grant and a John Wayne. I'm holding Jim Carey for later.
Crap, this is starting to sound like a neat game.
Shall we give the three finger salute in honour of James Doohan?
Three fingers is a lot of Scotch.
He's given a lot and definitely put his brand on the role. No matter what he must endure, a star is the least which can be done for him.
He's worth at least two Tom Cruises.
Well then. I guess we agree that the supposed event that causes people to freak out about their rights has no real precedent.
I agree with you about curbing police powers, I've read 1984 too. I am also very concerned about the increased data collection abilities of the authorities.
These changes don't come quickly, but they will. It doesn't really matter, once the average American says enough, things will change.
How so? From what you quoted, I don't see any spite. "Spite" is defined as being ill will or hatred or malice. None of what I said was an attack or said to illicit angryness. Maybe the word you are loking for is "patronizing". Now *that* I would admit to, although my intent was not to hurt, I was only stating commonly-known psychology. I am an expert in this because I am the Dad of a teenager. :)
Google has become successful by following the rules of good business behaviour. These are:
- offer a product that people want/need
- do it well
- always look to improve and innovate
The good guys win in the face of a jaded public perception of a faceless, uncaring business existence. There can be no better goodwill than that. I am hoping that Google will actually change the world. It probably will.
Right then.
I think your point was that you couldn't wear an anti-Bush T-shirt at a Bush rally without getting arrested. It was unclear if you were the one that was arrested, or if you were just repeating something you'd heard.
I countered by saying the "free speech zones" were justified because controlling a mass of thousands of people is difficult and crowd control is necessary. You objected to my approval of current crowd control methods.
I've written this as factually as I can, according to my understanding. What was it you wanted to discuss?
Holy crap! You don't mind if I steal that idea, do you?
Well, *I* thought it was a good plugin. It's good to see that there is some common ground in that we both think the other is an idiot. I know all about that, I have a teenage son.
The topic at hand is/was free speech, not "government thugs/heel of the boot crushes all opposition".
You wrote, You can't even peacefully wear a "No Bush" T-Shirt to a political rally now adays without being arrested for trespassing. Is that from personal experience of being arrested for doing so or are you just parroting a FOAF? It's always been trendy in pop society to associate with rebels, as it represents the teenage breaking of the womb ties and further reinforces the adolescent's identity.
I'm assuming you're American. Instead of trying to be part of your crowd (which is largely a "look at me and what I'm doing" thing) you should probably let your rep know your opinions and vote.