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User: Bob+Vila's+Hammer

Bob+Vila's+Hammer's activity in the archive.

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  1. Re:January 16, 2011 on EU to Develop Search Engine · · Score: 1

    Maybe this is just a phantom project that the French govt has decried in order for Google to just simply waste their money trying to beat, or maybe even solve the problems for them?
    Not putting a timeframe on the project is just inviting the pointless qualities of something that in this day and age could come and go within 5 years. And if they know this why are they wasting their time and money on something so grand that may even be commonplace in 5 years time?

    Or maybe it could prove the brilliance of google and the market.

  2. Well... on Google Forms Partnership With NASA · · Score: 1

    Its as if some terrific universal force has finally put 2 and 2 exclusive forces together. In that vein, I sure wish Nerf would get together with Louisville Slugger and produce a crotchbat that can handle my needs. As far as I'm concerned, the formula nerf + crotch hasn't yet equaled lots of fun.

  3. Re:Thank god for Jurassic Park... on Scientists Find Soft Tissue in T-Rex Fossil · · Score: 1

    What doesn't completely destroy us, makes us stronger and in the case of humanity, helps us learn. Ever thought about how we might have evolved to discover 1. A way to prevent another cataclysmic extinction like the one that wiped out 90% of the life on Earth? or 2. The secrets to survival - self awareness and conscience? To answer the question "whose life is more sad, an extinct dinosaur's or a modern human's?" I would ask another question: Whose life has/had more hope?

  4. Motto... on Fuel Loss May Cut Short GlobalFlyer's Journey · · Score: 1

    One plane, one flight, one world...
    Never enough fuel.

  5. Lockheed on NASA Hoping To Create Super X-Prizes · · Score: 1

    I've read all about the projects contracted by the government back in the good old days when Lockheed was considered kinda "indie" or new and challenging instead of habitual and obese. Those projects specifically were achieved at lower than budget cost or "more bang for the buck" at cost. And even more to the point, the contracts that were not achievable were scrapped long before they imploded, and the money was given back to the government!

    We live in such a different age, when before the value of a mans word meant just that - the finest aircraft ever built, the SR-71 - now it means something completely different. Profit profit profit. And the same value also meant good relationships (read honest) with the government and an even better work ethic. One that knew the government needed something and knew it could build it for them. It also knew it was offering a product, and it had the world's biggest consumer to please. "The customer is always right."

    These days you have to scrap that system if you can't get your money back - what am I saying, its my money! - especially if you didn't get what you paid for. And if the government isn't shopping around this holiday season, thats just a sin.

  6. Re:China will be the next big innovator on China's Superior Technologies · · Score: 1

    Your observation stating that the US is going entirely, accurately backwards is just not true. There are plenty of trials, solutions, and research already in use and at hand in regular society to clearly indicate an interest in the markets and in the minds of consumers to improve and solve the problems of our gas guzzling economy. Could we do more? Of course, I would say we can never do enough.

    But to blame the election for this topic is also a case in point of it not being that simple. Clearly, this election will go down in history as being one of more a security issue or moral interest than a technological or environmental concern. Granted, those ideologies are generally described as more "conservative" doctrines - which would lead you to believe there is a degeneration going on (wars for oil, overturning roe vs. wade, etc), but I guess I just give the US more credit knowing we will achieve those energy goals because the future cannot be and is not ignored here in our country - it just takes some time. That is something that is clearly evident, especially here on /..

  7. Re:Not quite on Nuclear Rockets Moving Along · · Score: 1

    Its funny, to answer your question I can ask a question that would answer your question. Ahem. Who are you going to vote for?

  8. Re:An old standard on High Tech Baby Monitoring? · · Score: 1

    Are you a pothead, Fokker?

  9. History... on X Prize Launch At Mojave Spaceport [updated: success!] · · Score: 1

    I know this is history in the making, but I'm kinda sad that I can't really appreciate it right now because of the immediacy of it. But one thing I believe we can do is pay homage to the past flyers like Lindbergh, Earhart, Yeager, and all the early - the first astronauts in the Soviet Union and the US. The respective space administrations which accomplished so much.
    Which is why I really respect and find wonder in this little spaceship. It seems to remind of all that has come before - the design is brilliant. It resembles so many different aircraft and spacecraft in its design that I believe it truly could be marveled for that aspect alone. The Bell X-1 comes imediately to mind, designs of the first test aircraft. The White Knight reminds me of that aircraft Voyager - which flew around the world on one tank of gas. I think that when you've got history on your side - which is the truth in this case - and you want it to happen enough, success will inevitably be yours. Congrats to the achievements and tributes of Burt Rutan and his team, Scaled Composites - it will be a wonderful glory and a beautiful new age.

  10. Wha..? on 2004 U.S. Puzzle Championship Winners · · Score: 1

    These puzzles aren't that difficult. They just require some good reasoning and patience. If just for fun I can finish a good portion of the test sitting here scribbling a few things down on an envelope, I don't see how any real /.'er would have a problem.
    These are like logic questions. Two and a half hours doesn't seem that hard to accomplish a really great score - I don't consider myself very proficient at math and/or the advanced logic and reasoning disciplines either. Whats with being intimidated? If its from Google its most likely fun and interesting and awesome. Of course its a challenge, but don't let it rattle you.

  11. Wait a sec... on Playing Games While Not Ruining Your Relationship? · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is slashdot, it is most definitely implied that your "significant other" is virtual/not real, so just close the program or put it back in the closet. Problem solved.

  12. Re:0-60 in 3 seconds! on The Bugatti Veyron · · Score: 1

    Of course its the driver. But you can put the same driver we're talking about in a Geo Metro and in a Veyron. The potential to do damage more quickly is with the Veyron, its capabilities are tremendous. You could accelerate and within 2 seconds have enough speed to destroy someone or something.
    In a Geo metro, there are many more limitations to its capabilities - they aren't as extreme. You could accelerate, but not that quickly. The Veyron weighs 4300 lbs, a metro probably weighs a third of that.

    The Veyron is much more dangerous considering its specs match that of what they call Champ Cars, which are extremely fast race cars. Race cars. Having this thing on the street is like having a shark in your swimming pool.

  13. 0-60 in 3 seconds! on The Bugatti Veyron · · Score: 1

    It would be incredibly easy to kill someone within 3 seconds with this car. Scary. I hope it has good visibility.

  14. Hmmm... on Florida Ponders Communication Tax on LANs · · Score: 1, Funny

    For a second there I thought this was Fark. I was expecting to see a Florida tag.

  15. Re:Dupe... on Worlds Largest Scale Model Solar System? · · Score: 1

    I didn't intend on calling it a dupe per se, I was eluding to the fact that someone might call it a dupe having read previous /. posts of the same subject. I explained it in my post and linked the article.

  16. Dupe... on Worlds Largest Scale Model Solar System? · · Score: 1

    This reminded me of an article on /. detailing the construction of a scale model of the Solar System in Maine, USA. It was posted in an article from June of last year on /..
    Here is the link
    The Maine model is to scale, 1:93 million.

  17. Re:Greedy on NEC Demands License Fees For Carbon Nanotubes · · Score: 1

    What I think might be going on is that they have been unable to conjure up the research results to base their stake preeminently in this new burgeoning field. Their studies probably show that there is very promising work going on elsewhere and they are making a business decision to equalize a slower progress.

  18. Re:What am I missing? on Fusion In Sonoluminescence (Again)? · · Score: 1

    Should you take the fish out first?

  19. Hmmm... on Comet-Chaser Rosetta Ready For Launch · · Score: 2, Interesting

    News on any front about a new mission to investigate another interesting part of our solar system is good these days - even if it will take place ten years from now.

    I wonder what kind of space faring adventures we'll be seeing in the mean time and during this ambitious project when it finally achieves its goal? I hope, like I hope for the success of this great mission, that all is well and still inspired. Go ESA!

  20. Re:Obligatory Seinfeld Misquote on Brine on Mars? · · Score: 1

    Oh yeah? Well I had sex with your wife!

  21. Re:The Future of Computing on Nerve Cells Successfully Grown on Silicon · · Score: 1

    Actually, if you are referencing The Matrix, Neo said "I know Gung Fu".

  22. Re:Problem with Game Balance on Good Online FPS Games/Servers For Beginners? · · Score: 1

    I play CS way too much, I'm good enough that I get accused of cheating all the time. But I totally agree with your observation. The game is the most fun when it is fair and the thing about CS is that most of the servers are notoriously unfair - the teams are almost always stacked. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to play fair and find that you have to deal with 16 vs 10 and the 3 afks are on your team. It basically comes down to piss-poor adminning. Piss-poor admins destroy the game, and really disrupt the uninitiated from learning how to play.

    I have played enough to find certain servers that utilize a team balancing function that keeps the scores even. It checks all kinds of stats and transfers key players over to the opposite team each round if needed. These servers are really fair, fun for newbies, and generally the most fun to play on.

    If you're going to play CS, download Cheating Death, its one of the best things you can do to prevent cheating. It does have drawbacks, it is required on certain servers and prevents you from playing on others, but it works for the most part.

    And the best thing to do overall is just play enough, die enough, and get pissed enough until you get good. Counter Strike is, in my opinion, the best intro and development FPS shooter game for that regimen.

  23. Re:Impressive technically but ... on Second Hypersonic X43 Scramjet Ready for Testing · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It is quite an interesting social characteristic that we have the clarity now more than ever of seeing. I find that our culture is more than willing to throw lives at a problem - whether it be the war on terrorism, drugs, or even war - but not able to comprehend the lose of a few truly brave souls who died for just as worthy a cause.

    Perhaps when enough people have died (sadly), whatever that number is, they will realize the importance.
    Then, maybe then, we'll be able to declare a war on space... :-(

  24. Re:Radio update on Spirit Rover Communications Error · · Score: 1

    Don't let the few trolls who may or may not have commented on the plight of the little beagle lander speak for the rest of us fans. I was crushed when I found out there was a problem.

    I wanted to see very badly the entire group of probes originally sent to Mars end up there together at the same time. It would have been a beautiful moment for techies and a wonderous eye opener for the rest of the public who may just be starting to become interested in what is going on with these projects.

    I can only hope now that Spirit will return to operation and we will enjoy the full range of its mission.

  25. This seems cool... on Double Pulsar Discovered · · Score: 1

    Do they have anything specific in orbit to study this phenomenon further? I haven't kept track of all our science satellites.