1. Parallels, in the future, includes some kind of FAT32 disk format/resizing(like Boot Camp does) capability. The reason it needs FAT32 is OS X can read/write to a FAT32 partiton, but not a NTFS partition(which will be a problem with Vista). This would make a much easier transition, since it already knows how to write to a virtual Windows disk.
2. You haven't already installed the copy of Windows XP on the virtual disk. If you've done that, I'm sure it would be treated as if you have installed it on two machines.
First of all, when's the last time "the x industry"(x equals music or movies) was right about iTMS pricing? "We think they're going to go to tiered pricing...", WRONG! Apple has the music companies, who also happen to be the movie companies, over a barrel. It's not going to change for movies. The fact that Jobs sits on Disney's board, as well as being the single largest stock holder, helps Apple dictate terms.
Secondly, as a previous poster noted, I can go to Target and buy a DVD for $5.50(just bought Trading Places). I'd rather have the physical media, if the movie is going to be in 320x240. Once it's in 480P, I'll buy from iTMS.
Finally, is a new version of iTunes coming? Is there one coming that will allow you to rip DVDs? It's only a matter of time until the entire HTPC system using Front Row, to rip the DVD in the background while it's playing, is on your Mac. Next up, TV tuner and DVR?
Not only are more parts being made of composites, but my friend, who is a maintenance supervisor for one of the large private aircraft companies(think corporate/executive jets), said his company is working on making the tube out of carbon fiber. He wasn't real excited, as they have enough problems patching large sections(control surfaces). Patching the tube would be really difficult.
Mongoose bikes tried this approach a few years ago. When I was a kid(in the 80s), everyone wanted a Mongoose BMX bike. Ten years later, Mongoose had fallen on hard times, and decided to market their bikes through mass-merchants(Wal-Mart, Target, etc...). For one year, they tried to sell Mongoose as both a low-end and IBD(read: bike shop) bikes. Frequently, I was asked what's the difference between the one at my shop and the one at Wal-Mart? It wasn't long until I figured out people asking me that question weren't going to buy from me. The next year, Mongoose introduced Mongoose Pro, but, by that time, the name had taken such a hit it didn't matter what they did.
The reality is that companies that deal with Wal-Mart, and have an established names, aren't doing themselves any favor by selling their products through Wal-Mart. All they are doing is de-valuing their higher-end products, which will only hurt their bottom line. As soon as customers find out the "brand" being sold at Wal-Mart is the offspring of the better brand, they will always ask "Why should I buy the other one?" It's a lose-lose situation for them.
Apple Corps. was suing Apple Computer, not because of the name in general, but because Apple Corps. owned the name in regards to sound recording. When Apple Computer added microphones and the ability to record from microphones in the OS, that's when Apple Corps attacked. The agreement was that Apple Computer would be able to do this(with the $26 million settlement), as long as Apple Computer never developed the technology into being able to record and distribute music(does GarageBand figure into this?).
It's not just an academic exercise. Here are two examples:
I'm a Mac fan, and my parents used to own a Mac as well. However, after their 630DOS(the Performa with a 486 daughter card(to run Windows 3.1...yuck) died in a lightening storm, they bought a Dell because no one was using Macs(1998). When their Dell dies, I will talk them into buying a mini. They can have all of the "ease of use" of OS X, while still being able to use their old Windows peripherals(if they don't have Mac drivers/apps).
Secondly, I'm an IT person at a large University. I support a couple of genetic research labs, and those labs use equipment that only have Windows software for analysis. That software doesn't always require the instrument, so analysis can be done on any Windows desktop. Since the labs are 94% Mac, it requires the analysis to be done on the computer controlling the instrument, which is a serious bottle neck. Being able to boot into Windows to do the analysis would be a tremendous time saver.
That said, I know the first thought people are having is using VMWare would be a much better than rebooting the machine, doing what you have to do in Windows, then rebooting back into OS X. You're right, and hopefully, it can achieve near-native speeds. Otherwise, the new Intel designs with virualization in the chip look promising as well.
He goes to live with his aunt and uncle, who keep him locked in the cupboard under the stairs. As he gets older, he begins to have things happen that he can't explain, like being able to talk to snakes, making things disappear...
Oh wait...wrong story.
(Maybe not, if you noticed the Harry Potter theme when Luke was dropped off on Tatooine in Ep. III)
For those who didn't RTFA, this doesn't just affect the iPod and iTunes. This applies to all devices capable of playing content available from online sources, including Sony's Walkman mp3 players.
This is typical government sticking it's nose somewhere it doesn't belong. If Apple wants to lock their iTMS content to iPods, let them do it. If a consumer wants to crack Fairplay, using tools that would appear to be legal in France, once this legislation passes, let them do it. Or, at least, mp3 player companies should have to create, and provide, tools to convert files to a compatible format. Again, this only applies to France, such tools would be illegal in other countries.
Everybody is sitting here saying "this "debunking" thing is crap...Apple needs to need to fix..." blah blah blah.
Here's the real problem. Hackers are trying to make a name for themselves by "winning" a "Hack into a Mac" challenge. They accomplish this by using an "unpublished exploit", then tell the world that they did it. The problem is they don't say how. If you figure it out, then tell Apple(or whoever's OS/app you've cracked) what you did and how.
The pathetic thing is gwerdna is being praised as a hero for doing this, but, to our knowledge, hasn't given Apple his method.
As an owner of a upsampling DVD player(the Samsung HD841 that has been a popular topic around here), yes, the image of a true 1080i image will be superior to an upsampled 480p to 1080i image.
Upsampling uses algorithyms to predict what the pixels will look like. It's like scanning in a picture at 300dpi and 600dpi. Use your favorite photo editing program to convert the 300 dpi image to 600dpi. You will see artifacting, or loss of clarity in the converted image in comparison to the 600dpi image.
Some upconverters, like the DVDO iScan HD+, will have good looking images, if you have $1,500 to spend on it. DVD players that include upsampling technolgy, are no where near as good as an external box like the iScan.
The other question is what is the native resolution of your display? Most HDTVs, under $2,000, have a native resolution of 720p, so they need to downsample all 1080i or p images to 720p. If you upconvert your DVD to 1080i then the TV downsamples it to 720p, you would have been better off upsampling to just 720p(or feeding the TV the 480p video, then have it do the upconversion...you will have to do some experimenting to figure out which works best).
Yes, we are talking about upscaled DVDs. The HD841 will upsample a 480P DVD to 720P and 1080i, but only through it's DVI connection, to a HDCP-compatible display(without the hack). I didn't know that when I bought it, which was a problem because the projector I had, an Infocus ScreenPlay 4800(which has since been sold and replaced with a ScreenPlay 4805 which is HDCP compatible), wasn't HDCP compatible. However, even with the hacks(which I haven't tried yet), I don't think it will be able to upsample to an analog output(component video). The upsampling button, which is on the remote, is called DVI Select, which makes me think it's DVI-out only.
Actually, Apple first went to IDE three years before the G3s. Moving from SCSI to IDE was a good idea, that was brought about by both being a cost cutting maneuver(IDE drives were cheaper, so Apple could hit lower price points), and the realization that IDE was good enough for the home user.
My theory on the Firewire to USB switch has more to do with design. Unless Apple went to the small 4-pin firewire interface, the nano wouldn't be so small with a standard 6pin Firewire interface. To be able to achieve the thin design, Apple had to go to a thinner interface, hence USB.
The music industry is NOT trying to move to online downloads.
First of all, they're still licking their wounds after the sucess of the iTMS. They're trying to "correct" that mistake by public comments such as "we think Apple is going to go to a tiered pricing scheme". In other words, "we hope they do...or else..." Unfortunately, for them, they have nothing to "or else" with.
Secondly, they have proved that DRM'd CDs and audio DVDs is their preferred future. The problem is they can't get a hack-proof DRM method, or one that doesn't install a rootkit on your machine. That. coupled with being unable to play these "CDs"(they aren't really true CDs) in existing players, outside of Windows XP machines, has cost them even more sales.
It's wishful thinking that the media companies want consumers to use online services. It's possible Sony will be moving in that direction with the release of the PS3, but I don't think we will see the end of spinnable media for quite some time.
For those who read the article, notice that we had just come out of a mini-ice age. Most say it lasted from the mid-1300s to about 1850.
Here's the question: what caused it(it being the forementioned oceanic conveyor), and what caused it to stop(in less than a decade)? The problem is, everyone has a theory and very few agree. Some say it was increased volcanic activity caused it, some say increased salinity of the water, some just don't know.
Those in the volcanic camp say the reason it stopped is the greatly reduced amount of volcanic activity. Here's an example of how volcanoes affect GLOBAL climate. In 1815, the Tambora volcano in Indonesia erupted. It was 100 times the magnitude of Mt. St. Helen's in 1980. The amount of ash and sulfur ejected into the atmosphere lowered global temperatures up to 3 degrees C, and caused the "Year without a Summer" in New England(where crops froze during all of the summer months, and there was 6+ inches of snow in June).
This mini-ice age led to numerous important historical events. The French, which in the 1700s, subsisted on cereal grains(wheat, barley, etc). However, in the years prior to 1789, the harvests were meager, due to the colder temperatures. Having no food, and not wanting to learn how to grow potatoes like Germany and Spain did, they decided to riot and steal whatever stores of grains they could find. This lead to the French Revolution. Still in French history, 1812 Napolean has marched his troops into Moscow. However, supply lines being incredibly weak, the cold, harsh Russian winter beats Napolean. Of the 600,000 troops he takes into Russia, less than 4,000 make it out, and less than 1,500 make it back to France. To Irish history, the Irish, unlike the French, learned to grow potatoes. To the Irish, the potato became their staple food, however, they only grew one low maintenance variety called "Lumpers". When the blight came, it was easy for it to propagate, as there only one variety to kill off. Had their been multiple species, the famine wouldn't have been so widespread. So, millions of Irish died due to starvation, and disease.
So, while some of you sit there saying, bring on the snow...remember, all of our civilizations have existed based on expectations. We expect farmers to be able to raise grains, vegetables, meat, cheese-producing animals, etc to feed the rest of us. However, how would we survive if global climates change and once fertile fields dry up(think U.S. Dust Bowls of the 1930s)? We could have world wide food shortages. Imagine if the rice producing areas of China dried up? Then the Chinese would go looking for land/food. The lion would be out of the cage.
Re:busting myths mistakenly
on
Ask The Mythbusters
·
· Score: 5, Informative
In the test MythBusters did, they created a machine to fire the arrows following the human archer test, so that adjustments could be made to velocity, trajectory, etc. This was the device they used to put the tip of the broadhead against the nock of the arrow already in the target. As stated in my parent, all attempts at "splitting" arrow failed.
The one arrow they were able to somewhat damage, the problem was the arrow split following the wood grain of the shaft. Since all wood arrows have wood grain, they conclude that even if there was a direct tip to nock impact, there wouldn't be a "perfect" split.
Please watch Mythbusters Episode 36 "Killer Tissue Box", which will be re-broadcast Nov. 25, 2005 on the Discovery Channel @ 10am(EST). This is the episode that they "bust" this myth.
They did try this myth(at least the build team did).
First they had real archers fire a large number of arrows at the same target, none of which "split" the target arrow(nor even hit it). Then they tried more controlled conditions(read: indoors), where they ended up putting a broadhead right at the nock(sp?) of another arrow, which led to partial splitting of the arrow(about 4 -6 inches long). The high-speed camera showed there is too much flex in the arrow shaft to get a clean split. Then they bundled a bunch togther, hoping the rigidity of the bundle would keep the target arrow stiff enough, which it didn't.
Prior to Microsoft purchasing Connectix, and I'm not going to pander to the conspiracy theorists, VirtualPC was slow, even on a new Mac. With Microsoft's purchase of VirtualPC, I hoped that they would be able to do some kind of optimization to allow Windows XP, to run faster on a Mac running VirtualPC(based on Windows NT being available for Mac, and NT being XPs kind-of parent). This, however, didn't happen. VirtualPC 7, bundled with Office 2004 Pro, is slower than it's Connectix predecessor, on the same machine.
Hardware emulators, now matter how advanced, will never be "near native speeds", especially fast enought for even the casual gamer. With Apple going to the x86 platform, and the availablilty of *nix emulators(like Wine[and the Cross Over apps] and Bochs), there isn't a translation problem. At that point, it becomes an OS opening up enough resources to run Windows, and draw the screen in a window(or better yet allow full screen).
One of the Apple honchos has said that while OS X for x86 won't run on non-Apple hardware, he thinks an Apple x86 machine will be able to run Windows. This is a great idea, especially, if an emulator like Wine would be able to run Windows in a window in OS X(much like Apple's Classic mode[OS 9 for you non-Mac people]), at native, or near native speeds. Keep the mini and the ability to run their "old" Windows apps, and watch the "Switchers" flock to Apple Stores.
Secondly, I like the idea of "Apple Approved" hardware. I don't know who the responsibility of testing of such capabilities, and have the concern it would become the equivalent of audio THX certification(basically a paid-for label, that requires components to meet certain, minimum specs). That said, when I buy parts for the PCs I support, I usually order parts Apple uses in their machines(e.g. Pioneer DVD burners).
When he was Anakin, he was a bad tempered, ungratefull, whiny bitch. When he was Vader, he was nothing more than an over-dressed goon. He didn't call the shots, and lacked the intestinal fortitude to do anything about it("Rule the galaxy as father and son"? Only if Luke offed the Boss[Palpatine]). Not unti his kid was dying could he "lift the car off"(superhuman feats in time of danger) and toss Palpatine down the shaft. "You don't know the power of the dark side"? Not if it's going to make me a whiny bitch...
Why do you cite China for decreasing fertility as though it's occurring naturally?
China requires a license for having children, and usually, couples are allowed to have one child. That, occasionally, leads to couples killing daughters, as boys are greatly preferred. Both of these will have dramatic affects on population changes in China, at least in the "prosperous cities".
The author of the article keeps saying it's better to DIY than spend $5K on a commercial model. However, you can get a decent projector for $800(or less if you buy a refurb non-current model). Plus, the picture quality is a lot better(supports 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i), and is in an appealing form factor.
The other question is how noisy is the overhead projector? Remembering back to elementary school, those things were pretty loud.
My tax dollars make a difference by forced regime changes in countries on the other side of the world? Ok...liberating Iraq may, some day, lead to cheaper gas at the pump(note: it has only led to higher prices at the pump, but I digress), but I hardly think it's worth the lives of the men and women in uniform.
The parent, and many others, are right, in that we need to pay people to want to become teachers. Make it lucrative, but to do that education has to have money.
As an employee of a state university, I know, firsthand, the benefits of "tax money spent where it could make a difference". It has led to pay freezes, department and faculty cuts, which all lead to lower quality education. This trickles down, through teachers who don't have quality training. All of this thanks to GW's tax cut. "No Child Left Behind"?
Linux has a problem with AFP(Apple File Protocol). We had some file servers running Windows 2000, that we decided we to transition to Linux, due to virus frustration, increased security, and better reliability. In our mixed platform environment, we samba and AFP(netatalk) share folders. Frequently, certain files, mostly Power Point and Word docs, would appear corrupted when they were tried to be opened on a Mac, after being being changed on a Windows machine(or vice versa). I don't want to start a "M$ Sucks" war, but my users HAVE to be able to cross-platform share documents.
The reality, for me, is Linux doesn't support AFP to the point it's reliable. All the speed in the world isn't going to help when people are calling me saying a file is corrupt.
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Can anyone else see this as a response to infidelity:
"I had to cheat on you. I have an elevated amount of monoamine oxidase A, and I needed someone new."
Response: "I don't care. I'm still taking half your crap."
"Prof Renugopalakrishnan now opines that the protein layer could also allow DVDs and other external devices to store terabytes of information."
In other words, Duke Nuke'em Forever will be released on these discs.
Can you say vapor ware?
I don't think so, depending on:
1. Parallels, in the future, includes some kind of FAT32 disk format/resizing(like Boot Camp does) capability. The reason it needs FAT32 is OS X can read/write to a FAT32 partiton, but not a NTFS partition(which will be a problem with Vista). This would make a much easier transition, since it already knows how to write to a virtual Windows disk.
2. You haven't already installed the copy of Windows XP on the virtual disk. If you've done that, I'm sure it would be treated as if you have installed it on two machines.
First of all, when's the last time "the x industry"(x equals music or movies) was right about iTMS pricing? "We think they're going to go to tiered pricing...", WRONG! Apple has the music companies, who also happen to be the movie companies, over a barrel. It's not going to change for movies. The fact that Jobs sits on Disney's board, as well as being the single largest stock holder, helps Apple dictate terms.
Secondly, as a previous poster noted, I can go to Target and buy a DVD for $5.50(just bought Trading Places). I'd rather have the physical media, if the movie is going to be in 320x240. Once it's in 480P, I'll buy from iTMS.
Finally, is a new version of iTunes coming? Is there one coming that will allow you to rip DVDs? It's only a matter of time until the entire HTPC system using Front Row, to rip the DVD in the background while it's playing, is on your Mac. Next up, TV tuner and DVR?
Not only are more parts being made of composites, but my friend, who is a maintenance supervisor for one of the large private aircraft companies(think corporate/executive jets), said his company is working on making the tube out of carbon fiber. He wasn't real excited, as they have enough problems patching large sections(control surfaces). Patching the tube would be really difficult.
Absolutely wrong.
Mongoose bikes tried this approach a few years ago. When I was a kid(in the 80s), everyone wanted a Mongoose BMX bike. Ten years later, Mongoose had fallen on hard times, and decided to market their bikes through mass-merchants(Wal-Mart, Target, etc...). For one year, they tried to sell Mongoose as both a low-end and IBD(read: bike shop) bikes. Frequently, I was asked what's the difference between the one at my shop and the one at Wal-Mart? It wasn't long until I figured out people asking me that question weren't going to buy from me. The next year, Mongoose introduced Mongoose Pro, but, by that time, the name had taken such a hit it didn't matter what they did.
The reality is that companies that deal with Wal-Mart, and have an established names, aren't doing themselves any favor by selling their products through Wal-Mart. All they are doing is de-valuing their higher-end products, which will only hurt their bottom line. As soon as customers find out the "brand" being sold at Wal-Mart is the offspring of the better brand, they will always ask "Why should I buy the other one?" It's a lose-lose situation for them.
This is the key part of the earlier lawsuit.
Apple Corps. was suing Apple Computer, not because of the name in general, but because Apple Corps. owned the name in regards to sound recording. When Apple Computer added microphones and the ability to record from microphones in the OS, that's when Apple Corps attacked. The agreement was that Apple Computer would be able to do this(with the $26 million settlement), as long as Apple Computer never developed the technology into being able to record and distribute music(does GarageBand figure into this?).
It's not just an academic exercise. Here are two examples:
I'm a Mac fan, and my parents used to own a Mac as well. However, after their 630DOS(the Performa with a 486 daughter card(to run Windows 3.1...yuck) died in a lightening storm, they bought a Dell because no one was using Macs(1998). When their Dell dies, I will talk them into buying a mini. They can have all of the "ease of use" of OS X, while still being able to use their old Windows peripherals(if they don't have Mac drivers/apps).
Secondly, I'm an IT person at a large University. I support a couple of genetic research labs, and those labs use equipment that only have Windows software for analysis. That software doesn't always require the instrument, so analysis can be done on any Windows desktop. Since the labs are 94% Mac, it requires the analysis to be done on the computer controlling the instrument, which is a serious bottle neck. Being able to boot into Windows to do the analysis would be a tremendous time saver.
That said, I know the first thought people are having is using VMWare would be a much better than rebooting the machine, doing what you have to do in Windows, then rebooting back into OS X. You're right, and hopefully, it can achieve near-native speeds. Otherwise, the new Intel designs with virualization in the chip look promising as well.
He goes to live with his aunt and uncle, who keep him locked in the cupboard under the stairs. As he gets older, he begins to have things happen that he can't explain, like being able to talk to snakes, making things disappear...
Oh wait...wrong story.
(Maybe not, if you noticed the Harry Potter theme when Luke was dropped off on Tatooine in Ep. III)
For those who didn't RTFA, this doesn't just affect the iPod and iTunes. This applies to all devices capable of playing content available from online sources, including Sony's Walkman mp3 players.
This is typical government sticking it's nose somewhere it doesn't belong. If Apple wants to lock their iTMS content to iPods, let them do it. If a consumer wants to crack Fairplay, using tools that would appear to be legal in France, once this legislation passes, let them do it. Or, at least, mp3 player companies should have to create, and provide, tools to convert files to a compatible format. Again, this only applies to France, such tools would be illegal in other countries.
Everybody is sitting here saying "this "debunking" thing is crap...Apple needs to need to fix..." blah blah blah.
Here's the real problem. Hackers are trying to make a name for themselves by "winning" a "Hack into a Mac" challenge. They accomplish this by using an "unpublished exploit", then tell the world that they did it. The problem is they don't say how. If you figure it out, then tell Apple(or whoever's OS/app you've cracked) what you did and how.
The pathetic thing is gwerdna is being praised as a hero for doing this, but, to our knowledge, hasn't given Apple his method.
As an owner of a upsampling DVD player(the Samsung HD841 that has been a popular topic around here), yes, the image of a true 1080i image will be superior to an upsampled 480p to 1080i image.
Upsampling uses algorithyms to predict what the pixels will look like. It's like scanning in a picture at 300dpi and 600dpi. Use your favorite photo editing program to convert the 300 dpi image to 600dpi. You will see artifacting, or loss of clarity in the converted image in comparison to the 600dpi image.
Some upconverters, like the DVDO iScan HD+, will have good looking images, if you have $1,500 to spend on it. DVD players that include upsampling technolgy, are no where near as good as an external box like the iScan.
The other question is what is the native resolution of your display? Most HDTVs, under $2,000, have a native resolution of 720p, so they need to downsample all 1080i or p images to 720p. If you upconvert your DVD to 1080i then the TV downsamples it to 720p, you would have been better off upsampling to just 720p(or feeding the TV the 480p video, then have it do the upconversion...you will have to do some experimenting to figure out which works best).
I own one of these DVD players.
Yes, we are talking about upscaled DVDs. The HD841 will upsample a 480P DVD to 720P and 1080i, but only through it's DVI connection, to a HDCP-compatible display(without the hack). I didn't know that when I bought it, which was a problem because the projector I had, an Infocus ScreenPlay 4800(which has since been sold and replaced with a ScreenPlay 4805 which is HDCP compatible), wasn't HDCP compatible. However, even with the hacks(which I haven't tried yet), I don't think it will be able to upsample to an analog output(component video). The upsampling button, which is on the remote, is called DVI Select, which makes me think it's DVI-out only.
Actually, Apple first went to IDE three years before the G3s. Moving from SCSI to IDE was a good idea, that was brought about by both being a cost cutting maneuver(IDE drives were cheaper, so Apple could hit lower price points), and the realization that IDE was good enough for the home user.
My theory on the Firewire to USB switch has more to do with design. Unless Apple went to the small 4-pin firewire interface, the nano wouldn't be so small with a standard 6pin Firewire interface. To be able to achieve the thin design, Apple had to go to a thinner interface, hence USB.
The music industry is NOT trying to move to online downloads.
First of all, they're still licking their wounds after the sucess of the iTMS. They're trying to "correct" that mistake by public comments such as "we think Apple is going to go to a tiered pricing scheme". In other words, "we hope they do...or else..." Unfortunately, for them, they have nothing to "or else" with.
Secondly, they have proved that DRM'd CDs and audio DVDs is their preferred future. The problem is they can't get a hack-proof DRM method, or one that doesn't install a rootkit on your machine. That. coupled with being unable to play these "CDs"(they aren't really true CDs) in existing players, outside of Windows XP machines, has cost them even more sales.
It's wishful thinking that the media companies want consumers to use online services. It's possible Sony will be moving in that direction with the release of the PS3, but I don't think we will see the end of spinnable media for quite some time.
For those who read the article, notice that we had just come out of a mini-ice age. Most say it lasted from the mid-1300s to about 1850.
Here's the question: what caused it(it being the forementioned oceanic conveyor), and what caused it to stop(in less than a decade)? The problem is, everyone has a theory and very few agree. Some say it was increased volcanic activity caused it, some say increased salinity of the water, some just don't know.
Those in the volcanic camp say the reason it stopped is the greatly reduced amount of volcanic activity. Here's an example of how volcanoes affect GLOBAL climate. In 1815, the Tambora volcano in Indonesia erupted. It was 100 times the magnitude of Mt. St. Helen's in 1980. The amount of ash and sulfur ejected into the atmosphere lowered global temperatures up to 3 degrees C, and caused the "Year without a Summer" in New England(where crops froze during all of the summer months, and there was 6+ inches of snow in June).
This mini-ice age led to numerous important historical events. The French, which in the 1700s, subsisted on cereal grains(wheat, barley, etc). However, in the years prior to 1789, the harvests were meager, due to the colder temperatures. Having no food, and not wanting to learn how to grow potatoes like Germany and Spain did, they decided to riot and steal whatever stores of grains they could find. This lead to the French Revolution. Still in French history, 1812 Napolean has marched his troops into Moscow. However, supply lines being incredibly weak, the cold, harsh Russian winter beats Napolean. Of the 600,000 troops he takes into Russia, less than 4,000 make it out, and less than 1,500 make it back to France. To Irish history, the Irish, unlike the French, learned to grow potatoes. To the Irish, the potato became their staple food, however, they only grew one low maintenance variety called "Lumpers". When the blight came, it was easy for it to propagate, as there only one variety to kill off. Had their been multiple species, the famine wouldn't have been so widespread. So, millions of Irish died due to starvation, and disease.
So, while some of you sit there saying, bring on the snow...remember, all of our civilizations have existed based on expectations. We expect farmers to be able to raise grains, vegetables, meat, cheese-producing animals, etc to feed the rest of us. However, how would we survive if global climates change and once fertile fields dry up(think U.S. Dust Bowls of the 1930s)? We could have world wide food shortages. Imagine if the rice producing areas of China dried up? Then the Chinese would go looking for land/food. The lion would be out of the cage.
In the test MythBusters did, they created a machine to fire the arrows following the human archer test, so that adjustments could be made to velocity, trajectory, etc. This was the device they used to put the tip of the broadhead against the nock of the arrow already in the target. As stated in my parent, all attempts at "splitting" arrow failed.
The one arrow they were able to somewhat damage, the problem was the arrow split following the wood grain of the shaft. Since all wood arrows have wood grain, they conclude that even if there was a direct tip to nock impact, there wouldn't be a "perfect" split.
Please watch Mythbusters Episode 36 "Killer Tissue Box", which will be re-broadcast Nov. 25, 2005 on the Discovery Channel @ 10am(EST). This is the episode that they "bust" this myth.
They did try this myth(at least the build team did).
First they had real archers fire a large number of arrows at the same target, none of which "split" the target arrow(nor even hit it). Then they tried more controlled conditions(read: indoors), where they ended up putting a broadhead right at the nock(sp?) of another arrow, which led to partial splitting of the arrow(about 4 -6 inches long). The high-speed camera showed there is too much flex in the arrow shaft to get a clean split. Then they bundled a bunch togther, hoping the rigidity of the bundle would keep the target arrow stiff enough, which it didn't.
Myth: Busted
VirtualPC, to be polite, is garbage.
Prior to Microsoft purchasing Connectix, and I'm not going to pander to the conspiracy theorists, VirtualPC was slow, even on a new Mac. With Microsoft's purchase of VirtualPC, I hoped that they would be able to do some kind of optimization to allow Windows XP, to run faster on a Mac running VirtualPC(based on Windows NT being available for Mac, and NT being XPs kind-of parent). This, however, didn't happen. VirtualPC 7, bundled with Office 2004 Pro, is slower than it's Connectix predecessor, on the same machine.
Hardware emulators, now matter how advanced, will never be "near native speeds", especially fast enought for even the casual gamer. With Apple going to the x86 platform, and the availablilty of *nix emulators(like Wine[and the Cross Over apps] and Bochs), there isn't a translation problem. At that point, it becomes an OS opening up enough resources to run Windows, and draw the screen in a window(or better yet allow full screen).
One of the Apple honchos has said that while OS X for x86 won't run on non-Apple hardware, he thinks an Apple x86 machine will be able to run Windows. This is a great idea, especially, if an emulator like Wine would be able to run Windows in a window in OS X(much like Apple's Classic mode[OS 9 for you non-Mac people]), at native, or near native speeds. Keep the mini and the ability to run their "old" Windows apps, and watch the "Switchers" flock to Apple Stores.
Secondly, I like the idea of "Apple Approved" hardware. I don't know who the responsibility of testing of such capabilities, and have the concern it would become the equivalent of audio THX certification(basically a paid-for label, that requires components to meet certain, minimum specs). That said, when I buy parts for the PCs I support, I usually order parts Apple uses in their machines(e.g. Pioneer DVD burners).
Ani/Vader will always be a "whiny pussy".
When he was Anakin, he was a bad tempered, ungratefull, whiny bitch. When he was Vader, he was nothing more than an over-dressed goon. He didn't call the shots, and lacked the intestinal fortitude to do anything about it("Rule the galaxy as father and son"? Only if Luke offed the Boss[Palpatine]). Not unti his kid was dying could he "lift the car off"(superhuman feats in time of danger) and toss Palpatine down the shaft. "You don't know the power of the dark side"? Not if it's going to make me a whiny bitch...
Why do you cite China for decreasing fertility as though it's occurring naturally?
China requires a license for having children, and usually, couples are allowed to have one child. That, occasionally, leads to couples killing daughters, as boys are greatly preferred. Both of these will have dramatic affects on population changes in China, at least in the "prosperous cities".
The author of the article keeps saying it's better to DIY than spend $5K on a commercial model. However, you can get a decent projector for $800(or less if you buy a refurb non-current model). Plus, the picture quality is a lot better(supports 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i), and is in an appealing form factor.
The other question is how noisy is the overhead projector? Remembering back to elementary school, those things were pretty loud.
My tax dollars make a difference by forced regime changes in countries on the other side of the world? Ok...liberating Iraq may, some day, lead to cheaper gas at the pump(note: it has only led to higher prices at the pump, but I digress), but I hardly think it's worth the lives of the men and women in uniform.
The parent, and many others, are right, in that we need to pay people to want to become teachers. Make it lucrative, but to do that education has to have money.
As an employee of a state university, I know, firsthand, the benefits of "tax money spent where it could make a difference". It has led to pay freezes, department and faculty cuts, which all lead to lower quality education. This trickles down, through teachers who don't have quality training. All of this thanks to GW's tax cut. "No Child Left Behind"?
Linux has a problem with AFP(Apple File Protocol). We had some file servers running Windows 2000, that we decided we to transition to Linux, due to virus frustration, increased security, and better reliability. In our mixed platform environment, we samba and AFP(netatalk) share folders. Frequently, certain files, mostly Power Point and Word docs, would appear corrupted when they were tried to be opened on a Mac, after being being changed on a Windows machine(or vice versa). I don't want to start a "M$ Sucks" war, but my users HAVE to be able to cross-platform share documents.
The reality, for me, is Linux doesn't support AFP to the point it's reliable. All the speed in the world isn't going to help when people are calling me saying a file is corrupt.