As the founder of taab, I'd be interested in hearing why you think the MintChip is an embarrassment. I'm personally impressed that the Royal Canadian Mint came up with this idea and project. Is it perfect? No, definitely not. Will it actually make it to market? Debatable, and likely not. But you can't fault them for trying. If nothing, society as a whole will learn from their successes and failures.
Your vote only counts towards the Popular Vote category. The winners for the other categories are determined by a judging panel.
Also, could you explain why you'd like to vote "none of the above"? I'm the founder of taab, and would love to hear your criticism.
I definitely thought it was a good idea, and was impressed that our government was able to foster this type of idea and competition. I can't say whether or not they will successfully bring this to market, but at the very least, it provides all of us with a unique learning opportunity. This way, we can figure out what works, and what doesn't.
As you'll see by my low UID, I've been on Slashdot for a while.
I'm going to shamelessly self-plug my entry, called taab. You can visit our site at http://taab.co./ Check it out, and watch the promo video. I'm hoping it can handle the Slashdot effect!
You can vote for our entry here: http://mintchipchallenge.com/submissions/9458-taab
And I'm more than willing to answer any questions you may have, including my experiences with the MintChip platform.
Verizon is slated to release the BB 9630, aka the 'Tour' within the next month or 2. It's the BB 9530 Storm, but instead of a touchscreen, it goes back to the QWERTY keyboard.
http://crackberry.com/blackberry-tour-spec-sheet-leaked
I just did a 4 month internship in San Diego, and I drove to work.
I'm used to Ontario traffic lights being a certain length of yellow. And then, there's usually a pause between the two sets of traffic lights (i.e. there's a small amount of time where all lights are red).
Imagine my surprise in Southern California that this was not the case at all. The yellows were MUCH longer, throwing me off completely. I'd slow to a stop in anticipation of the red, only to see it stay yellow for a while.
So a few times, I "dared" to just go through the yellow. I thought they were questionable, but to my surprise, at least one or two drivers would follow behind me. If it was questionable for me, how are they pulling it off?
There's no pause between reds either. The whole situation just seemed so unsafe. And then I saw a piece on the local news about red lights, and how the city is earning lots of money from it.
If you want an example of who's got the traffic light timing perfect, look to Ontario.
Apparently, there's a feature that the submitter missed out, and that GDS suggests things you might need while you work. Privacy advocates might raise concern over this, and perhaps rightly so. But the biggest concern:
Clippy GOOGLIZED!
"It looks like you're writing a letter..."
Actually, I got my MCSD back when I was 14. I did the Desktop & Distributed VB exams, the required Solutions exam, and the Desktop VC++ exam. I barely passed the last exam.
What did getting my MCSD do? Nothing really, though it scored me an interview with ATI, which I bombed majorly because of the coding questions. 2 years later in uni, I could go back to that interview and answer those questions with no problem.
I was 14, and naive. These computer certifications mean absolutely nothing. I was a paper cert, I had no real marketable skills. Now, 2 years of EE, and I'm a much better programmer, engineer, and designer than I ever was. Which means, that the validity of the MCSD is... well, it just plain isn't.
Honestly, I don't understand why everyone is pissing and moaning about Microsoft's anti-competitive nature in this situation. Today, Symantec and McAfee are the two most widely used anti-virus programs out there, and actually sell quite well because a LOT of my customers ask me for their products. Sure, with Microsoft now creating an offering, there's going to be some competition, but isn't that what business is about? Sure, Microsoft is going to use its financial leverage to market it, and develop it really well so it does smash the competition, but isn't that what capitalism's about?
Tell me, name an operating system out there which can come close to being as good as Windows is for the average Joe to use? I can only think of Mac OS X, and the only reason they aren't anywhere near the sales of Windows, is because Apple is the only company who distributes it, and they charge a lot more money for their products. I'll admit that it's probably better than Windows in some ways, but the average Joe is used to Windows. Linux is nowhere NEAR this kind of functionality, and for both OSes, there's just not that much support available for it. Windows is unparalled.
I'll admit, that maybe the Netscape/IE situation was kind of different. At first, IE sucked, and I used Mosaic and Netscape. Then as IE got better, I started using it in tandem with Netscape. Then it came with Windows 98. Bonus, one less download for me. But then Netscape started sucking ass and I stopped using it altogether. I ended up using the better product. Sure, the average Joe will probably have just used IE, but what's wrong with that? He ended up using the better browser.
So stop whining about the anti-virus thing. If it's a crap product, don't buy it, keep using your Symantec or McAfee. But if Microsoft makes it work really well, then why not use it? It's still about choice. You can still choose to use the better product. Still hate Microsoft? Don't buy their products. Simple as that.
We need this in Canada
on
Cashless Society
·
· Score: 1, Informative
I work at a retail electronics store (biggest one in Canada, owned by Best Buy now... u know which one.) and we had a customer who worked for a smartcard company. Talking with him, I've been completely AMAZED with what smartcards can do.
In a few months, he said, credit cards will be shifting to smart cards, and be rid of the magnetic strips. Our till at the counter has a card reader, both magnetic and smart. I can't tell you how many magnetic strips have caused me problems. Using the smart card reader on the bottom of the unit will be a lifesaver!
Also, he talked about this organization that they just finished work with, but I forgot the name. But, basically, it was like a union for construction workers, and they issued smart cards to every worker. And on the smart card, was information about the worker, his credentials, resume, and certificates. He could walk to a job site or contractor, and they scan the card, and it would show it all on the computer, and it was completely valid because all the proper documentation would be pulled up. I thought that was amazing because it reduces tons of paperwork, and forgery too!
I think smart cards just make sense, especially when moving to money too. I deal with cash at the store too, but having to find the appropriate change to give to customers is just a pain. Mind you, with our comparitively high-priced items, we don't deal with tons of cash, mostly cards. But, at least with the smaller stuff, customers have the convenience of paying quickly, easily, and with cash they have now, and I have the convenience of not handling cash.
It just makes sense, and Canadians would defintely use it in my opinion. We're in love with our cards, heh.
Now, the article says that the asteroid doesn't come closer than 3.6 million miles....
However, it'd be interesting to see any type of effects it may have environmentally, however minimal. Perhaps it may alter tides (albeit slightly)
Also, be interesting to see if any significant events occured around 550AD.... I'm a firm believer in astrology, and I think that this type of object might play some role. Or maybe historically, it shaped events (much like comets before battles) as it probably would appear as a new brighter star in the sky.
Thought?
Well, this technique sounds interesting but...
What about places where it's pretty damned imperative to have a video camera? Like banks and convenience stores, where the camera can catch at least SOME details of the criminal(s). With techniques such as this, they could blind the camera so that they'd never be caught on tape. Thinking about it now, I'd set up a 2nd guy outside the store, shooting the laser in at the camera, so the 1st guy can do his thing.
Or how about in airports? Like how those 9/11 hijackers were seen on tape? What if they'd masked themselves with this laser? We'd still have a vague clue about who was actually on the plane. (Not the best example, but you get my drift)
I say this is interesting stuff to KNOW, but I wouldn't feel too secure knowing that criminals can have free reign about who records their image.
I remember doing a project about phytoremediation last year, and I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread! A cheap, effective, and relatively environmentally friendly way of cleaning up after ourselves. And now, apparently economical too.
Usually in phytoremediation they use plants that grow quickly (like hemp) so "waiting for the fall harvest" really isn't necessary. Besides, looks like they're genetically engineering the plants anyway, might as well turn up the growth factor too.
I think phytoremediation is one of the emerging techs that will save us... it can extract many different kinds of heavy metals, INCLUDING radioactive metals, which is wonderful. My props go to Inco!
While I hardly believe that Apple would make such a bad business decision, this kind of news doesn't help up and coming programmers. I've been a Windows user for most of my life, but I was hoping to make the switch to Linux and/or Mac OS X, to be able to use a superior OS for MY needs (Windows is great for Joe Schmoe) and learn even more about program innards, by exploring the vast amounts of "tweaks" and customizations that can be performed to both operating systems. While, I'm sure it's still very possible in OS X, I hope that this trend doesn't continue, because it was one of the main reasons for me choosing to switch in the near future.
Slashdot Mirror
As the founder of taab, I'd be interested in hearing why you think the MintChip is an embarrassment. I'm personally impressed that the Royal Canadian Mint came up with this idea and project. Is it perfect? No, definitely not. Will it actually make it to market? Debatable, and likely not. But you can't fault them for trying. If nothing, society as a whole will learn from their successes and failures.
Your vote only counts towards the Popular Vote category. The winners for the other categories are determined by a judging panel. Also, could you explain why you'd like to vote "none of the above"? I'm the founder of taab, and would love to hear your criticism.
Care to explain why you think they're crap? (I'm the founder of taab.)
I definitely thought it was a good idea, and was impressed that our government was able to foster this type of idea and competition. I can't say whether or not they will successfully bring this to market, but at the very least, it provides all of us with a unique learning opportunity. This way, we can figure out what works, and what doesn't.
As you'll see by my low UID, I've been on Slashdot for a while. I'm going to shamelessly self-plug my entry, called taab. You can visit our site at http://taab.co./ Check it out, and watch the promo video. I'm hoping it can handle the Slashdot effect! You can vote for our entry here: http://mintchipchallenge.com/submissions/9458-taab And I'm more than willing to answer any questions you may have, including my experiences with the MintChip platform.
Verizon is slated to release the BB 9630, aka the 'Tour' within the next month or 2. It's the BB 9530 Storm, but instead of a touchscreen, it goes back to the QWERTY keyboard. http://crackberry.com/blackberry-tour-spec-sheet-leaked
I just did a 4 month internship in San Diego, and I drove to work. I'm used to Ontario traffic lights being a certain length of yellow. And then, there's usually a pause between the two sets of traffic lights (i.e. there's a small amount of time where all lights are red). Imagine my surprise in Southern California that this was not the case at all. The yellows were MUCH longer, throwing me off completely. I'd slow to a stop in anticipation of the red, only to see it stay yellow for a while. So a few times, I "dared" to just go through the yellow. I thought they were questionable, but to my surprise, at least one or two drivers would follow behind me. If it was questionable for me, how are they pulling it off? There's no pause between reds either. The whole situation just seemed so unsafe. And then I saw a piece on the local news about red lights, and how the city is earning lots of money from it. If you want an example of who's got the traffic light timing perfect, look to Ontario.
Apparently, there's a feature that the submitter missed out, and that GDS suggests things you might need while you work. Privacy advocates might raise concern over this, and perhaps rightly so. But the biggest concern:
Clippy GOOGLIZED!
"It looks like you're writing a letter..."
Actually, I got my MCSD back when I was 14. I did the Desktop & Distributed VB exams, the required Solutions exam, and the Desktop VC++ exam. I barely passed the last exam.
What did getting my MCSD do? Nothing really, though it scored me an interview with ATI, which I bombed majorly because of the coding questions. 2 years later in uni, I could go back to that interview and answer those questions with no problem.
I was 14, and naive. These computer certifications mean absolutely nothing. I was a paper cert, I had no real marketable skills. Now, 2 years of EE, and I'm a much better programmer, engineer, and designer than I ever was. Which means, that the validity of the MCSD is... well, it just plain isn't.
FIRST POST EVER!!!!
Honestly, I don't understand why everyone is pissing and moaning about Microsoft's anti-competitive nature in this situation. Today, Symantec and McAfee are the two most widely used anti-virus programs out there, and actually sell quite well because a LOT of my customers ask me for their products. Sure, with Microsoft now creating an offering, there's going to be some competition, but isn't that what business is about? Sure, Microsoft is going to use its financial leverage to market it, and develop it really well so it does smash the competition, but isn't that what capitalism's about?
Tell me, name an operating system out there which can come close to being as good as Windows is for the average Joe to use? I can only think of Mac OS X, and the only reason they aren't anywhere near the sales of Windows, is because Apple is the only company who distributes it, and they charge a lot more money for their products. I'll admit that it's probably better than Windows in some ways, but the average Joe is used to Windows. Linux is nowhere NEAR this kind of functionality, and for both OSes, there's just not that much support available for it. Windows is unparalled.
I'll admit, that maybe the Netscape/IE situation was kind of different. At first, IE sucked, and I used Mosaic and Netscape. Then as IE got better, I started using it in tandem with Netscape. Then it came with Windows 98. Bonus, one less download for me. But then Netscape started sucking ass and I stopped using it altogether. I ended up using the better product. Sure, the average Joe will probably have just used IE, but what's wrong with that? He ended up using the better browser.
So stop whining about the anti-virus thing. If it's a crap product, don't buy it, keep using your Symantec or McAfee. But if Microsoft makes it work really well, then why not use it? It's still about choice. You can still choose to use the better product. Still hate Microsoft? Don't buy their products. Simple as that.
I work at a retail electronics store (biggest one in Canada, owned by Best Buy now... u know which one.) and we had a customer who worked for a smartcard company. Talking with him, I've been completely AMAZED with what smartcards can do. In a few months, he said, credit cards will be shifting to smart cards, and be rid of the magnetic strips. Our till at the counter has a card reader, both magnetic and smart. I can't tell you how many magnetic strips have caused me problems. Using the smart card reader on the bottom of the unit will be a lifesaver! Also, he talked about this organization that they just finished work with, but I forgot the name. But, basically, it was like a union for construction workers, and they issued smart cards to every worker. And on the smart card, was information about the worker, his credentials, resume, and certificates. He could walk to a job site or contractor, and they scan the card, and it would show it all on the computer, and it was completely valid because all the proper documentation would be pulled up. I thought that was amazing because it reduces tons of paperwork, and forgery too! I think smart cards just make sense, especially when moving to money too. I deal with cash at the store too, but having to find the appropriate change to give to customers is just a pain. Mind you, with our comparitively high-priced items, we don't deal with tons of cash, mostly cards. But, at least with the smaller stuff, customers have the convenience of paying quickly, easily, and with cash they have now, and I have the convenience of not handling cash. It just makes sense, and Canadians would defintely use it in my opinion. We're in love with our cards, heh.
Now, the article says that the asteroid doesn't come closer than 3.6 million miles.... However, it'd be interesting to see any type of effects it may have environmentally, however minimal. Perhaps it may alter tides (albeit slightly) Also, be interesting to see if any significant events occured around 550AD.... I'm a firm believer in astrology, and I think that this type of object might play some role. Or maybe historically, it shaped events (much like comets before battles) as it probably would appear as a new brighter star in the sky. Thought?
Well, this technique sounds interesting but... What about places where it's pretty damned imperative to have a video camera? Like banks and convenience stores, where the camera can catch at least SOME details of the criminal(s). With techniques such as this, they could blind the camera so that they'd never be caught on tape. Thinking about it now, I'd set up a 2nd guy outside the store, shooting the laser in at the camera, so the 1st guy can do his thing. Or how about in airports? Like how those 9/11 hijackers were seen on tape? What if they'd masked themselves with this laser? We'd still have a vague clue about who was actually on the plane. (Not the best example, but you get my drift) I say this is interesting stuff to KNOW, but I wouldn't feel too secure knowing that criminals can have free reign about who records their image.
I remember doing a project about phytoremediation last year, and I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread! A cheap, effective, and relatively environmentally friendly way of cleaning up after ourselves. And now, apparently economical too. Usually in phytoremediation they use plants that grow quickly (like hemp) so "waiting for the fall harvest" really isn't necessary. Besides, looks like they're genetically engineering the plants anyway, might as well turn up the growth factor too. I think phytoremediation is one of the emerging techs that will save us... it can extract many different kinds of heavy metals, INCLUDING radioactive metals, which is wonderful. My props go to Inco!
While I hardly believe that Apple would make such a bad business decision, this kind of news doesn't help up and coming programmers. I've been a Windows user for most of my life, but I was hoping to make the switch to Linux and/or Mac OS X, to be able to use a superior OS for MY needs (Windows is great for Joe Schmoe) and learn even more about program innards, by exploring the vast amounts of "tweaks" and customizations that can be performed to both operating systems. While, I'm sure it's still very possible in OS X, I hope that this trend doesn't continue, because it was one of the main reasons for me choosing to switch in the near future.
OH MY!!! What a great trailer! The Even-Odd Theory holds true! It's going to be PURE action-packed! WOO!