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User: swg101

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Comments · 57

  1. Re:Flow... on What Makes a Good UI? · · Score: 1

    I tend to agree with you. Often, just copying a paper form means that you are not taking advantage of the computer.

    As an example, I was using some software to fill out an application, and after starting with the basic information (Name, address, birthdate, gender, etc.) I was surprised when a little later it asked "Are you a male born after 1954?" (or something like that). The program should already have all the information needed to answer that question, don't make me answer it again!

    So, yes, do look at paper forms for guide, but remember that the computer is a different tool, and take advantage of it.

  2. Acceptable uncertainty on Unpredictability in Future Microprocessors · · Score: 4, Informative

    Degrees of probability and uncertainty have been in given in the communications industry for quite some time. This just seems to be pointing out that the same ideas can be applied to the actual processing of the data.

    Now that I think about it, it does seem to make some sense. I am not sure that I would want to program on such a chip right now though (I imagine that debugging could become a nightmare really quickly!).

  3. Visual Studio on Microsoft Claims Linux Security a Myth · · Score: 1

    One complaint that I have had for quite some time is that Visual Studio (even up to version 6 at least) does not support a scroll wheel!! This seems like a minor thing, but it really hinders productivity when an editor is missing such a simple thing.

  4. Re:Futile on "Dark Alleys" on the Internet · · Score: 1

    ...The Carceral is a prison, not for the mind, but of the mind. Have you ever stopped at a red light when there was no one for miles? That's the classic example of the Carceral in action.
    We see this all around us, every hour of every day. The RIAA uses it to deter file traders. The Federal Government uses it to deter tax cheats. Walmart uses it to prevent shoplifting. ...

    What you have ignored is morals (right and wrong). i.e. It is wrong to shoplift, whether or not there is someone watching.
    It is difficult (and as these posts have revealed, nearly impossible) to watch all the people all time. There must be another reason for behavior, not just because someone is watching.

  5. taskbar grouping on Firefox News Roundup · · Score: 1

    I dislike grouping because it takes more clicks to locate the window I am looking for, the solution for me was to place the taskbar vertical on the side of the screen (widescreen LCD) which means I can have [counts open windows....] 21 windows open and still read the name next to each icon.

  6. Time on They Killed Ken! · · Score: 1

    That is minutes and seconds; though those symbols are usually used in measuring directions - i.e. degrees, minutes ('), and seconds (").

  7. commercial vs. proprietary on Is Open Source An Advantage For Game Developers? · · Score: 1
    >I'm hoping you mean "is used in a proprietary offering". This is certainly the case, the most famous example being Trolltech's QT.

    I am pretty sure that the QT license requires purchasing for both commercial products and proprietary products.

    From Trolltech's site:
    Use the Qt Commercial License to:
    -Build commercial software.
    -Build software whose source code you wish to keep private.
  8. Re:We have been fantisizing about flying cars... on A Flying Leap for Cars? · · Score: 2, Informative

    No, helicopters stay in the air by generating lift (just the same as an airplane wing, but moving through the air in a circle rather than a line). The wash from the rotor is an effect of this, but does NOT keep the craft in the air.

  9. Re:Oil dependency... on A Flying Leap for Cars? · · Score: 1

    No, aircraft measure fuel by weight (which is much more important than volume to an aircraft)

  10. Many erroneous replies on Real Time Video Stream over Firewire? · · Score: 2, Informative
    The software exists in Windows, Mac, and Linux, the issue is that the camera has to support it. Some cameras send nothing over the firewire port unless it is in playback mode. It doesn't matter if you are using a Mac if the hardware will not send data. I have found very little information easily accessible about which cameras will support this. Some manufacturers will answer your questions.

    For machine vision (which is why I have looked at this before), check out the firewire cameras at Point Grey Research. They have some really nice stuff and a great support staff.

  11. you are forgetting something on WebCam Options for Linux? · · Score: 1

    Grandparent is correct. The "magic" in this is called compression. The chipsets actually use compression in sending the stream to allow for higher framerates at these resolutions.

    That said, I still think that a capture card is the best bet because it allows you to change the camera at a later time without worying about breaking your Linux support

  12. Some of this has been done on WebCam Options for Linux? · · Score: 1

    Video for Linux (v4l) (much info here or the newer v4l2 are the places you want to check out as those above have men tioned. Also, check out this site for some code to used as a starting point. Attaching multiple cameras is no problem as the different USB cameras just map to /dev/video0, /dev/video1,...

  13. finding pants on Avoiding the Bat-Belt Syndrome? · · Score: 1

    I have problems finding pants in 34w-38l (and 32-36 was difficult too). I finally found an Eddie Bauer outlet store in my area, and I can actually find nice things there at really good prices. About 2x a year, they have all pants 75% off, which is $12-$15 and I shop for stuff then. In short, try an outlet store. There you can get the pants that are odd sizes.

  14. it doesn't have to be.... on Local Network IPs - 10.0.0.0/8 or 192.168.0.0/16? · · Score: 1

    At home, I use 10.*, but I chose the subnet that I wanted. So it is easy to remember 10.11.12.*/24 and there is not a string of zeros.

  15. Re:This is what happens ... on Is it Just Me, Or Is Our Mainframe Missing? · · Score: 1

    not 2-3% income tax. 2-3% of your bill (the waitperson did not pocket that money). and if there was no tip, then the money comes out of their paycheck as "income tax" when there was NO INCOME!

  16. You could try scanning the receipt on Disappearing Ink on Thermal Paper? · · Score: 1

    I don't know if it would help, but perhaps a scan of the receipt with an appropriate date stamp along with the work original would be acceptable as proof.

  17. internet games for consoles on Carmack on New id Game, Game Theory · · Score: 2, Interesting

    There are several games that allow you play online. The PS2 with the network addon, and the XBox all have sports games (Madden, et.al) and FPS games (SOCOM) that allow multiplay online. You can even replace the control pad with a keyboard and mouse. The graphics resolution on the PC is still better than the on the TV

  18. kick of the rifle on Contractor Proposes Laser Rifles for US Military · · Score: 1

    The text of the article clearly states that this rifle generates 90 lbs of kick. This comes from the expansion of superheated gasses at ultrasonic (>1900mph) speeds. I am also guessing that this would make quite a large noise also (not quite the quiet sound from movies).

  19. Re:Mendelson's Electronic Surplus, Dayton OH on Great Surplus Stores? · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here is the site for the actual Mendelson's store.
    And you are so right. I love that place. I had heard about it, and just was able to go there last Saturday. Great fun!! everything from restaraunt equipment to the individual electronic components I needed (and plenty of stuff that I didn't know I needed until I was there)

  20. But can you... on Tivo 2 Features On the Horizon · · Score: 5, Interesting

    move files onto the computer for archiving/storage? The article talks about playing mp3's/video from the computer as well as "home networking", but there are no real details. Any other info?

  21. Re:Anything with two interfaces on 1.0GHz P3 In A CD-ROM Drive Bay · · Score: 1

    This may be something like what you are looking for. It has 3 10/100 ports, runs linux from HD or Compact flash, and is completely self contained. The site also caries other small systems.

  22. Re:Any books on Pi? on A Much Bigger Piece Of Pi · · Score: 1

    Read The Joy of Pi. (They have a website with some info)
    It a a small book that give a good background on the history of pi, and much about the formulas and theories used today.

  23. not normal on A Much Bigger Piece Of Pi · · Score: 1

    The sequence you propose does not fit the definition of "normal". A normal sequence is one in which all 10 digits appear with equal distribution.

  24. Pi info site on A Much Bigger Piece Of Pi · · Score: 1

    Here is a site that has much information on the history of pi, and how to calculate it. It includes algorithms and rudimentary programs.

    See also, the first 10,000 digits!

  25. Re:What am I waiting for? on Gentoo Linux Reloaded · · Score: 1

    I have run Mandrake as my desktop and server and am now on a box running Gentoo as my desktop. I do sometimes miss the nice configuration tools that Mandrake provides, but the emerge command to really great. That alone was enought to get me to switch.