As a motorcyclist myself, I'm not sure which is more worrying. The sad comments by the computer-potato set, who have no clue about risk and reward outside of the virtual world; or, the others here who ride, but seem to have a rather narrow view of the motorcycling experience.
As has been mentioned many times, alcohol is a major cause of motorcycle accidents, and a major source of fatalities. This is no different than automobiles. Perhaps the car or truck driver will "get away with it" a little more often because they can stumble home with a few dents on their Hummer, rather than laying on the side of the road with a broken leg (or worse). Motorcycles do require more attention and fitness of mind and body to ride safely than do automobiles.
Sportbikes are better motorcycles for road use. They handle, stop and accelerate (often a safety feature) better than nearly any vehicle on the road. They are not inherently more dangerous than other types of bikes. Most bikes, even mundane ones, will out accelerate a car and exceed 100 miles per hour. This power always carries responsibility.
As far as "image" goes, one could argue that cruisers with their "biker lifestyle" baggage (no helmets, drinking, thong-wearing passengers, older RUB riders) contribute more to accident statistics and injury with their habits. Or the big tourers with their generally older riders and heavy weights, overloading and high-mileage skew the statistics. Not to mention off-road bikes and the "evil" ATV!
But I've owned or ridden all of these, so I don't plan to throw any stones. They all provide a quality of life that few inanimate objects do. If I die doing this (and I don't try or plan to), so be it. What "wonderful" way will you check out? None of them sound too good to me (ok, I can think of a few that might not be too bad).
If this "padded cell" mentality is Darwinism in action, I'm sure good old mother nature will come along and nip that limb of the tree in the bud. I don't think people that work up a sweat reformatting a hard drive are the pinnacle of natural selection.
Don't like the ER folks slagging-off bikers? Don't give them your organs!
Open your minds a little folks! Or is this the eventual attitude of any group of zelots?
Before that is was part of a failed, aerospace-themed tourist attraction in Kissimmee, FL.
The parts you mentioned ended up in another (more interesting) junkyard that was privately created by an eccentric ex-engineer near the southern gate of the space center (state road 3).
He died before his dream of a museum or some such could be realized, and the contents of the yard were up for public auction. It was amazing. There were a complete set of flight legs for a lunar module among tons and tons of other items (atlas centuar rocket and trailer anybody?)
The SST prototype parts (possibly the same one in the link above) were bought by a scrap metal dealer. As a nice flourish, the dealer returned to a later auction (it took a few to clear out all the stuff) with some of the bits cast into aluminium ingots with the Boeing SST logo painted on them.
Just got a set for my birthday (I'm now officially older than dirt), and they are great fun. Take a couple to a LAN party and watch the fun (until somebody steps on one)!
Like you said, no need to mod up (since it's off subject), but a couple of quick notes:
I don't think American's are necessarily more involved in things than before (at least since World War II). I think the US web sites (like this one) involve more people outside of the US in our (often trivial) matters.
This visibility (which I would guess is higher per capita than many countries due to our saturation on the web) is causing a torrent of outside commentary (which can be good), but also can produce a distorted view.
My concern in this case, is that it has become a knee-jerk reaction that destroys even the most enlightened, trivial, or innocent communication attempts. The fact that is rarely a knowledgable or researched opinion is bad enough (but that's tolerated in many places), the lack of self-cultural examination is a crime, but the real problem has become the bulk and non sequitor nature of them. Sample:
* What a beautiful day, the sky is so blue... - You f'ing Americans and your "blue" sky. With all SUV's you all drive, you useless sky couldn't be blue! In my country, we produce no waste or pollution, the sky is always blue (ad nauseum).
And neither poster is probably American (*sigh*)...
I was going to make a half-hearted attempt to respond to some of the more absurd comments here (the "f*cking Americans" one is particularly goofy and baseless), but the motivation is slipping away. There was a day when I used to learn something from reading the responses to an issue here (or at least get angry and/or think). But this is pathetic. Now, people respond with the same answers, regardless of the subject!
I'm not talking about the usual penisbird, goatsex trolls, but stuff that actually get's modded up. I think most of the ongoing posters here are becoming "one trick ponies".
Standard responses:
1 Stupid Americans, anti-American, wasteful Americans, violent Americans (and of course no one else has these problems). 2 Ecology, Kyoto agreement, SUV's, American pollution. 3 RIAA, copyright, etc. 4 Teleporters, Anime, Power Armor, Star Wars, etc. 5 Whatever you mentioned is bad, bad, bad. No real reason, it just is.
Nothing wrong with any of this stuff in context, but responding to everything with the same answers and seeing most of them marked "interesting 3" is making a farce of the opportunity to respond (or is that the point?).
I know these "Slashdot falling apart" posts are starting to be a standard response too, but this is certainly the first time I've felt the need to post one, so it's new to me.
If you aren't interested in the Atlas V (or whatever, good or bad), try not to post your standard screed just to hear yourself "talk". It's really dull (Yeah, I know, this is as well)...
The only thing that seems to get genuine response is a new version of a game or a Linux software release. That's fine, because it is the core of Slashdot (which still seems to be there), but it used to be so much more...
It's in the hotel's best interest to have you use as little air conditioning as possible. I have stayed lots of places around here, and NEVER found one that doesn't allow you to turn off the AC. Not to mention that if you open the windows/doors in most of them, a switch will turn off the AC. This is law (or at least some sort of regulation) in some counties in Florida.
So, the "I couldn't turn off the AC in my room" argument sounds a little bogus.
The reason that large conference rooms in hotels during conferences are often too cold has more to dealing with large numbers of people than a desire to have a room be too cold.
If you've ever set up at one of these shows you will know that it's freezing when there only a few people in the stadium-sized room, but still can get pretty hot when there are thousands in there. You must pre-cool the room for the max crowd well beforehand, due to the size of the room.
It's a limitation of the technology (and thermodynamics to some extent) that no number of windows being open or insulation will cure. Sorry...
Again, it's to the economic advantage of the bill-payers of the gigantic room, to keep it as warm as possible. They aren't trying to freeze you out.
Finally, who would be more used to the extremely warm temperatures here in the summer, residents or northern tourists? It's you lot that demand the "ideal" temperatures inside every building that relate to northern European climes. Don't piss on us for giving you what you want, unfortunately it's our job as a tourist mecca.
And coming from someplace like Finland (apparently) to the tropics and then blaming the AC being too cold (compared to Finland?) as the cause of your illness, shows a fair ignorance of Biology and international travel.
Speaking as someone who apparently has a brain the size of a walnut, I'm disappointed that you "large brained" foreigners couldn't whine better than that. You do it with olympic caliber when you come over here, that's for sure.
Ok Finland, we'll turn off the AC in the summer, you turn off the heat in winter!
(cultural bigots come from all over, not just the USA)
Like most inventions that solve a common problem (in this case, the "I'm too hot" problem), the origination is more complex than a single person.
This page has a fairly even-handed report (even though it's from Florida) I believe...
http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~ihas/fridge.html
Oh yes, and please cut down on the "evil air conditioning" rantings. It's just too ironic when the technology you're using to access the network, the technology maintaining the network, and the technology serving the post wouldn't exist without AC.
I am less concerned with this information causing more telemarketers to call me (I have a security code ring-through box for that), than I am about them selling details about who I all and when. Since when is this not private information (since NOW I guess)? The phone companies are still a utility (of sorts), and has some responsibility in this area.
I assume this ruling now means that the bank can share all my PINs and such with whoever they want. I mean after all, I'm choosing to use their service. Or the doctor can sell my medical history to the highest bidder since I'm choosing to use their service.
What a load of BS that attitude is. Having very little choice than to use these services, some responsibility is required on the part of the service provider. Even the court system treats criminals better than this, privacy-wise!
Incidently, the police do not need a court order to get your calling record. They need a court order to listen to your calls. Of course, I guess it's only a matter of time until the telemarketers will be able to do that as well...
Which leads to the inevitable question...
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Paintable LCDs
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· Score: 2, Funny
I know that CNN is supposed to be "for the masses" as some have said here when applauding the story. I don't see that gives them a right to mis-inform. There are a number of not just technically inaccurate (which almost any CNN story would be to this crowd), but odd illogical statements. To wit:
"It's older, it's not tied to Microsoft or AOL or a big company, it's one of the Internet protocols... so if you're running Windows or Linux or Macintosh or another flavor of Unix, you can use it," says Schneier. "So it's not that it's more suitable for hackers to use, it's just a more basic service and people who are anti-big-corporation are going to be more likely to use something like IRC."
So, let's see:
* Anti-big-corporation (ABC) people are more likely to be hackers and thieves (see: 'Enron'). * Software that is multi-platform is ABC (as is multi-platform in general I imagine). * Software that is simple (basic) is ABC. * ABC people are more likely to use Unix and Mac. I guess they meant "for their personal use", rather than as the target of their "hacking" (cracking).
Sheesh, quite a lot of rubbish packed into one small paragraph.
So, let's see. To avoid "hackers" and be a "good guy", I should use a complex, single-platform software suite backed by a major corporation. Then I'd be safe, and wouldn't be a "bad guy". I guess I can see where this is heading.
I got IRC because I needed a straight-forward chat arrangement for a specific (intranet) reason. It was cheap (or free) and I had control within my network. I use it on the internet (I chat very little, but when I do) for many of the same reasons. That, and no bloody adverts.
I have worked for big corporations. They use many platforms (including Unix and Macs and MS), like multi-platform software, and prefer something straight-forward and simple (although they don't achieve it as much as they'd like). They even used IRC when they needed to. They are definitely NOT anti-big-corporation.
So, worse rubbish than usual for CNN. Considering their association with AOL, and their competing chat technology, I DON'T consider this informing the great un-techie unwashed masses. It's just bad, and to the point of questionable news-ethics-wise.
Considering the overblown protesting over the Cassini mission a few years back, I have little belief that the public will even allow controlled experimentation with such technology.
Cassini was well within any reasonable person's definition of "safe". The most dangerous portion was the solid rocket motors of the Titan rocket that launched it. It was a tried system that was used in the Apollo missions (yes, radioactivity in Apollo! Horrors!).
I think all that is being asked in this admittedly PR-ish piece, is that some more money be spent on experimenting with alternative "in space" propulsion systems. Deep Space 1 was a perfect example, but let's stop doing it on a shoestring. We can't do anything until we explore some possibilities.
Science has been so successful in the past that experimentation has been translated to "implementing on a large scale world-wide". Space propulsion systems actually have little to do with power sources inside the earth's atmosphere (nuke plants), bombs or radioactive waste. Although, the benefits of experimentation with space systems might be applied to them.
I agree with previous posters that we need to find our power sources "out there" or "in route", but this may be a good stop-gap measure (and has been in the past, although more as a battery than propulsion).
There was definitely a Series I 3000, although I believe it was very short-lived as a product. Much later, when I worked at HP, one of the hardware CEs had a series I nameplate on his desk (one of his prized possessions). He had upgraded the machine at my old school, and snapping up the old nameplate was a local tradition. I have some plates in my desk drawer right now, but nothing as rare as a series I.
I don't have much information on it, it may have been a bastardization of one of the earlier (pre series II) models you mentioned. I do know that it was the same two-cabinet form factor as the Series II (one with the tape drive). It had 128K of core-string memory, and ran MPE (of course).
Now that I think about it, I might be able to dredge up a picture of it from my school yearbook!
Ah, yes... Those were the days. I imagine many of the younger geeks (how does it feel to be an old timer already Eris?) out there look at minicomputers as "mainframes" and imagine them in a huge multi-million dollar computer room somewhere.
But in fact, in their heyday, they existed on shop floors, in the back rooms of resturants, etc.. The power-failure feature was welcome by the little guys as a UPS usually cost as much as the computer back then (and the computers weren't cheap)!
And yes, I do miss the sense of family in the HP users world as well *waves back*.
As far as Bradmark goes, what I really miss is Chuy's!
As someone who learned how to program on an HP3000 *Series I* (showing my age here), I can't help but feel bad about the decision, logical though it might be. New 3000s (based on PA-RISC hardware shared with the 9000) have been sold primarily as an upgrade path for existing users for quite a while. Apparently, those users (which paid the bills at HP for many years) are (finally) starting to dry up.
My career was made by these machines, although I saw the writing on the wall quite a while back and moved on. I worked for a number of companies that used 3000's (and probably still do in some form or fashion) including a long stint as a 3000 field software engineer with HP itself.
The system aged as gracefully as any computer in history, and was based on boring old dependability, much like the company itself used to be. Between this, the instrument/medical division (now Agilent) and calculators, it feels a little like the heart of the company has been removed.
I was fortunate enough to see the very first HP inkjet (in a little case that the Boise division guy practically handcuffed to his wrist), but had no idea how big it would end up being to the company.
I know there is little room for sentimentality in the computer world, but I have just as strong nostalgic feelings for these old beasties as any vintage video game. They are certainly deserving of respect.
If Linux is around 30 years from now, I think many of you (us) would have some sad feelings if the last copy were being deleted. Even if it was being replaced with something "better".
Should I burn the MPE source code fiche, in tribute?
Smilodon
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Sorry, anybody know a good source...
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Akira Re-Released
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... for the special edition DVD? Most places I've tried are out of stock. Do all the special edition (metal box) versions come with the film cell?
I don't consider myself a huge anime fan, particularly since it became a real "genre" with different "sub-genres". I feel much of the work is so designed to appeal to the tiny sub-genres that not as much original work is produced.
There are exceptions. Akira is definitely one of them. It is one of the originals, and invented many of the archetypes used today. And most of them haven't really been done any better since. When it becomes available for rental, I'd recommend non-anime nuts give it a try.
Although it has been implied here that IBMs new-technology CRTs will be heavier than the equivalent LCD panel, I still doubt it will be heavy enough to flatten an iMac.
I'd suggest a 50" Pioneer rear-projection TV. They have considerable heft, and can easily be lifted by a forklift.
This stands a better chance of success. The resulting iMac should not only be cheap, but nearly valueless.
Don't forget to back-up your system before trying this...
They (Microsoft) are aggravating their loyal developer base as well. I attended last year's (7/2000) Microsoft PDC (Professional Developer's Conference) where the.NET "initiative" was rolled-out. It soon became obvious that Java was a non-starter in the.NET vision of the future. "What about Java?" questions were pretty much ignored by the Microsoft presenters, and the tone of the questions got more and more heated as the conference progressed. One person asked during a C# (C-sharp) presentation, "Isn't this Microsoft Java?", which obviously angered the presenter.
Remember, most of these folks are die-hard Microsoft developers, who have been using MS J++ to develop enterprise applications (and yes, applets). I think Microsoft hopes that in a couple of years, everybody will be using C# and this whole Java thing will have been a bad dream. The most recent move of not including the JRE is no surprise, considering this strategy. Next will be not making it available from Microsoft at all.
Of course, Sun could have won the day by announcing during the conference that they were releasing Java to a standards committee, but that was just wishful thinking. I imagine that Cold Fusion will be the next target, XP somehow causing CF pages to be mysteriously broken or a "security risk" (hint: Use ASP+ instead).
I'm not a big Microsoft "conspirist". Frankly, a conspiracy implies some sort of subterfuge or cleverness in my opinion. Microsoft is far too heavy-handed to rate that title. They're just bullies, nothing more.
The big fear of this writer seems to be that we are paying less attention... to advertising not content. ADD as in ADvertising. Does that make us more stupid? Is that such a bad thing?
Can this really be such a surprise? We are inundated with advertising more and more, and in a more heavy-handed way than ever before. Also, the things that are being pitched are less and less notable, new or desirable.
I'm continually beseeched by adverts for credit cards, mortgage refinancing, drugs I don't need (I think, they never really say what they're for, "ask your doctor"), financial schemes and household cleaners that don't really have any real "competition" (I have too many credit cards, I don't have a house, what is "Zorbland", I don't have money to invest, bleach is bleach).
I know this has always been the case (NEW, BETTER FAB!), but it just seems to get and worse and worse as the outlets for advertising (and number of advertisers) seem to be expanding.
Eventually, you just learn to "block it out". I will still pay for content that warrants it, but not when I can get it for free. That's why media that mostly provide sports scores and weather reports are crying the blues.
I think we are actually becoming a more "sophisticated", rather than less, audience for advertisers. Car companies, for one, have learned that emotional reasons play a part in purchases (IE ads with SUVs parked on mountaintops), but you must have the product to back it up.
First off, my comments were relating to the plusses/minuses of how the US space program is run v/s the old Soviet system, not a comment on the supposed perfection of the US. That being said, I do prefer living in the US v/s a communist/totalitarian system. And, I believe the US system suffers when it eliminates personal freedoms, becoming more like the systems it claims as an enemy. But to specifically answer your screed...
From this I take it that you have never lived poor in the Grand Old US of A.
No, you are wrong. I just don't have a chip on my shoulder about it.
Poor ppl exist here. Shitty jobs exist here. Exploitation exists here. Worse than the pre - collapse USSR (which incorporates more than the Russian republic)
Now, that's some uninformed rubbish.
Do you want an example of experimentation that the us did to further our technological knowledge? what about the nuclear tests that they conducted on US soldiers to determine the exact effects of radiation?
That's precisely the type of dangerous military cold war thinking that begs for a strong civilian presence in space v/s a military one (IE USSR and US if we aren't careful). I don't claim to be apologizing for every wrong the US ever committed, or ignoring them. You seem to be missing the point entirely.
You want one example of a job with horrible working conditions? cole miners. want another? sweat shops. Want another? under the table construction (you know, without the safety equipment). Want another? migrant worker. Just because you have a cool middle or upper class techi job does not mean that everyone in this country is doing fine.
And everyone in every other country IS doing fine? And coal mining is a breeze in Kajakastan? Again, you assume too much, and make your point on those assumptions, rather than my original post. Coal mining has historically been a difficult job. Even when US mines conditions were much worse (depression era) than today, being a coal miner in the US was still one of the better places to do that difficult and dangerous job. I am a descendant of coal miners and steelworkers. They did well enough to allow their children to do other work, if they wished. One of my "bourgeoisie" (he's laughing) co-workers is descended from migrant workers. The US system allows this. What is your point? The other things you mentioned are illegal, so occur less often here than, say, China.
I was born a us citizen. I grew up very poor. Most of my pre-teen peers are either dead or on major drugs to try to forget what they do for a living. I was lucky and have a natural aptitude with computers. I was also obstinate and stubborn, and refused to give up. So I got out.
In general, I'd like to keep the US a place where more people can be "lucky" like you. Being rich or poor doesn't give you exclusive license to screw up your life with "major drugs", or have things to forget. Or be dead for that matter. "I was also obstinate and stubborn, and refused to give up. So I got out." is as much an American story as anything. So is being appalled at people being poor in your country, as am I.
One basic premise exists in all economic systems. Balance exists. If one person makes an insane amount of money, other ppl go without. Those on top necessitate those on the bottom. It is an ugly fact of life. I dare you to drive into a ghetto in any major city in the US, then go to the ppl you see and try to explain how great our system is. You are painfully ignorant.
I dare you to walk into a ghetto anywhere in the world and proclaim anything! Ghettos are a dangerous place, that's why they are what they are. I've had friends there, been there, and tried to help a few folks out of them by developing their "natural computer aptitude". You see every problem in the world as insolvable at a personal level, and completely controlled by outside "oppressor" or "power" factions. At the individual level, I don't believe that to be true. If I am "painfully ignorant" in this area, I only wish more people were.
And historically the Germans and the USSR'ians have been very innovative. A lot of it has to do with the innovation of a few brilliant individuals who could care less about what their government is doing, who they are at war with, and who is a stinkin commie bastard, and who is a great and wonderful, kind and compassionate hero of the great 'capitalism'. Intelligence and innovation exists without creed, political bent, geographic coordinates, sex, sexual preference, color, country of origin, or any of the other prejudices that you may hold.
I have a picture of Werner Von Braun (with my dad!) hanging on my wall. They are both personal heroes of mine. Although, I never forget that Von Braun used to further his rocket knowledge at the behest of the Nazi's (even if under duress). Hence my (modest) distaste with the militiarization of space. I am fortunate to occasionally meet with my Russian counterparts (software developers), and respect them greatly. I try to hold as few prejudices as possible, but I'm sure I have as many as the next guy. I do try to keep a "bent" toward rational thinking, and a "prejudice" towards personal freedom.
I guess vitriol is the standard bill of fare here at/. anymore, unless the article is about Linus or a new game/game device. Still the tone of some of the posts is baffling (excluding the usual trolls), and beggars logic in some cases. To wit...
How great the Russian space program is/was. No argument here, they've accomplished much. But consider what it took to get them there. Communism. People could be forced to do any unpleasant or hazardous jobs. The "exorbitant" salaries of space workers (insert knowing laugh here) were not a consideration under this system. The opinion of the public (gasp! even/.ers) was not a consideration. The safety of the workers and surrounding populace was not a consideration. The validity of the experiments performed was not a consideration. The "budget" was not a consideration. Hell, given a few more years, the Germans could have achieved "cheap" access to space, since they were using slave labor for many tasks (a financial bargain I'm sure).
It's exactly these thorny "problems" (public/congressional support, having to attract/pay employees, etc.) that cause some of the unfortunate situations mentioned. If we had simply let the Air Force keep control of the program back in the late 50's/early 60's, given them Apollo-level budget and the ability to conscript any people or knowledge they might need, we'd probably have one hell of a space capability by now. Why, we'd probably already have had our first space war (just like Star Wars!) by now as well.
The moon landings were done in a spirit of patriotism and competition, as an alternative to war. When these feelings wane, it is difficult to maintain such an expensive program on logic and common sense. I think NASA does an admirable job of trying to do this as they beg in front of a group of politicians every year to try and explain why something like the Hubble is of some advantage to a congressman's district.
Still, I think this is a better way to maintain a space program than building it on the backs of people waiting in line for bread. I think the money complaints I've heard here are based more on "what I'd do with that money..." opinions than actual food being taken out of your mouth.
As far as replacing the shuttle with a wondrous new cheap, fast, easy, state of tomorrow's art vehicle, I'm sure you would get no argument from those "overpaid, NASA welfare" workers everyone seems to have seen when watching the CNN show. Most space workers have been layed off before, and don't fear it as much as you'd think. They work here because they want to, not because the pay and healthcare benefits.
But where is the money to develop this new vehicle? Lots of staring at the floor, clearing of throats, shuffling of feet by the naysayers at this point. Until the public demands this, and is willing to spend the money (IE no tax cut), the people in the CNN special work very hard indeed to keep the old birds flying.
I thought the CNN show was great in explaining some of the difficulties of seemingly "easy" manned orbital flight. But, remember that it was trying to be a little entertaining as well. Don't accept some of the glib reasoning of the CNN reporter on why things are done as they are, he's trying not to bore you with the details...
No offense to the review writer. I am sure they managed to get the finer points of the book across better than I could have.
But...
I'm relieved they're writing reviews rather than books. This one reads like a book report on the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act. A novel-length work in this style would have me reaching for a double-strength can of Red Bull (and a thesaurus as well, I'm afraid).
Compaq also had a laptop in production (can't remember the name/number) with a very similar form factor about 5 or 6 (or more) years ago. I used one and loved it, but it never seemed to catch on.
Obviously, it was a little more clunky that the machine mentioned in the article (laptops being a little thicker back then), and the keyboard (and pen I think) were corded. But, it worked great and made a great desktop when the keyboard was detached. Not to mention the pen was mighter than the mouse (for some things).
So, Apple wasn't the first with this idea either. And this one was in production.
Slashdot Mirror
As a motorcyclist myself, I'm not sure which is more worrying. The sad comments by the computer-potato set, who have no clue about risk and reward outside of the virtual world; or, the others here who ride, but seem to have a rather narrow view of the motorcycling experience.
As has been mentioned many times, alcohol is a major cause of motorcycle accidents, and a major source of fatalities. This is no different than automobiles. Perhaps the car or truck driver will "get away with it" a little more often because they can stumble home with a few dents on their Hummer, rather than laying on the side of the road with a broken leg (or worse). Motorcycles do require more attention and fitness of mind and body to ride safely than do automobiles.
Sportbikes are better motorcycles for road use. They handle, stop and accelerate (often a safety feature) better than nearly any vehicle on the road. They are not inherently more dangerous than other types of bikes. Most bikes, even mundane ones, will out accelerate a car and exceed 100 miles per hour. This power always carries responsibility.
As far as "image" goes, one could argue that cruisers with their "biker lifestyle" baggage (no helmets, drinking, thong-wearing passengers, older RUB riders) contribute more to accident statistics and injury with their habits. Or the big tourers with their generally older riders and heavy weights, overloading and high-mileage skew the statistics. Not to mention off-road bikes and the "evil" ATV!
But I've owned or ridden all of these, so I don't plan to throw any stones. They all provide a quality of life that few inanimate objects do. If I die doing this (and I don't try or plan to), so be it. What "wonderful" way will you check out? None of them sound too good to me (ok, I can think of a few that might not be too bad).
If this "padded cell" mentality is Darwinism in action, I'm sure good old mother nature will come along and nip that limb of the tree in the bud. I don't think people that work up a sweat reformatting a hard drive are the pinnacle of natural selection.
Don't like the ER folks slagging-off bikers? Don't give them your organs!
Open your minds a little folks! Or is this the eventual attitude of any group of zelots?
I believe foreign nationals are restricted to presidents only. Not as much "bang for the buck", but you get a nice room in the white house...
That, and perhaps they've lost the connection that Linux (and everything else computer) = energy usage. At least for the forseeable future...
Before that is was part of a failed, aerospace-themed tourist attraction in Kissimmee, FL.
The parts you mentioned ended up in another (more interesting) junkyard that was privately created by an eccentric ex-engineer near the southern gate of the space center (state road 3).
He died before his dream of a museum or some such could be realized, and the contents of the yard were up for public auction. It was amazing. There were a complete set of flight legs for a lunar module among tons and tons of other items (atlas centuar rocket and trailer anybody?)
The SST prototype parts (possibly the same one in the link above) were bought by a scrap metal dealer. As a nice flourish, the dealer returned to a later auction (it took a few to clear out all the stuff) with some of the bits cast into aluminium ingots with the Boeing SST logo painted on them.
"...Our two chief weapons are fear, surprise and an almost fanatical devotion to the pope..."
Just got a set for my birthday (I'm now officially older than dirt), and they are great fun. Take a couple to a LAN party and watch the fun (until somebody steps on one)!
Like you said, no need to mod up (since it's off subject), but a couple of quick notes:
I don't think American's are necessarily more involved in things than before (at least since World War II). I think the US web sites (like this one) involve more people outside of the US in our (often trivial) matters.
This visibility (which I would guess is higher per capita than many countries due to our saturation on the web) is causing a torrent of outside commentary (which can be good), but also can produce a distorted view.
My concern in this case, is that it has become a knee-jerk reaction that destroys even the most enlightened, trivial, or innocent communication attempts. The fact that is rarely a knowledgable or researched opinion is bad enough (but that's tolerated in many places), the lack of self-cultural examination is a crime, but the real problem has become the bulk and non sequitor nature of them. Sample:
* What a beautiful day, the sky is so blue...
- You f'ing Americans and your "blue" sky. With all SUV's you all drive, you useless sky couldn't be blue! In my country, we produce no waste or pollution, the sky is always blue (ad nauseum).
And neither poster is probably American (*sigh*)...
Smilodon
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I was going to make a half-hearted attempt to respond to some of the more absurd comments here (the "f*cking Americans" one is particularly goofy and baseless), but the motivation is slipping away. There was a day when I used to learn something from reading the responses to an issue here (or at least get angry and/or think). But this is pathetic. Now, people respond with the same answers, regardless of the subject!
I'm not talking about the usual penisbird, goatsex trolls, but stuff that actually get's modded up. I think most of the ongoing posters here are becoming "one trick ponies".
Standard responses:
1 Stupid Americans, anti-American, wasteful Americans, violent Americans (and of course no one else has these problems).
2 Ecology, Kyoto agreement, SUV's, American pollution.
3 RIAA, copyright, etc.
4 Teleporters, Anime, Power Armor, Star Wars, etc.
5 Whatever you mentioned is bad, bad, bad. No real reason, it just is.
Nothing wrong with any of this stuff in context, but responding to everything with the same answers and seeing most of them marked "interesting 3" is making a farce of the opportunity to respond (or is that the point?).
I know these "Slashdot falling apart" posts are starting to be a standard response too, but this is certainly the first time I've felt the need to post one, so it's new to me.
If you aren't interested in the Atlas V (or whatever, good or bad), try not to post your standard screed just to hear yourself "talk". It's really dull (Yeah, I know, this is as well)...
The only thing that seems to get genuine response is a new version of a game or a Linux software release. That's fine, because it is the core of Slashdot (which still seems to be there), but it used to be so much more...
Sad Really.
Disclaimer: I live in Florida
It's in the hotel's best interest to have you use as little air conditioning as possible. I have stayed lots of places around here, and NEVER found one that doesn't allow you to turn off the AC. Not to mention that if you open the windows/doors in most of them, a switch will turn off the AC. This is law (or at least some sort of regulation) in some counties in Florida.
So, the "I couldn't turn off the AC in my room" argument sounds a little bogus.
The reason that large conference rooms in hotels during conferences are often too cold has more to dealing with large numbers of people than a desire to have a room be too cold.
If you've ever set up at one of these shows you will know that it's freezing when there only a few people in the stadium-sized room, but still can get pretty hot when there are thousands in there. You must pre-cool the room for the max crowd well beforehand, due to the size of the room.
It's a limitation of the technology (and thermodynamics to some extent) that no number of windows being open or insulation will cure. Sorry...
Again, it's to the economic advantage of the bill-payers of the gigantic room, to keep it as warm as possible. They aren't trying to freeze you out.
Finally, who would be more used to the extremely warm temperatures here in the summer, residents or northern tourists? It's you lot that demand the "ideal" temperatures inside every building that relate to northern European climes. Don't piss on us for giving you what you want, unfortunately it's our job as a tourist mecca.
And coming from someplace like Finland (apparently) to the tropics and then blaming the AC being too cold (compared to Finland?) as the cause of your illness, shows a fair ignorance of Biology and international travel.
Speaking as someone who apparently has a brain the size of a walnut, I'm disappointed that you "large brained" foreigners couldn't whine better than that. You do it with olympic caliber when you come over here, that's for sure.
Ok Finland, we'll turn off the AC in the summer, you turn off the heat in winter!
(cultural bigots come from all over, not just the USA)
Like most inventions that solve a common problem (in this case, the "I'm too hot" problem), the origination is more complex than a single person.
This page has a fairly even-handed report (even though it's from Florida) I believe...
http://www.phys.ufl.edu/~ihas/fridge.html
Oh yes, and please cut down on the "evil air conditioning" rantings. It's just too ironic when the technology you're using to access the network, the technology maintaining the network, and the technology serving the post wouldn't exist without AC.
I am less concerned with this information causing more telemarketers to call me (I have a security code ring-through box for that), than I am about them selling details about who I all and when. Since when is this not private information (since NOW I guess)? The phone companies are still a utility (of sorts), and has some responsibility in this area.
I assume this ruling now means that the bank can share all my PINs and such with whoever they want. I mean after all, I'm choosing to use their service. Or the doctor can sell my medical history to the highest bidder since I'm choosing to use their service.
What a load of BS that attitude is. Having very little choice than to use these services, some responsibility is required on the part of the service provider. Even the court system treats criminals better than this, privacy-wise!
Incidently, the police do not need a court order to get your calling record. They need a court order to listen to your calls. Of course, I guess it's only a matter of time until the telemarketers will be able to do that as well...
... Does this outfit make my App look big?
I know that CNN is supposed to be "for the masses" as some have said here when applauding the story. I don't see that gives them a right to mis-inform. There are a number of not just technically inaccurate (which almost any CNN story would be to this crowd), but odd illogical statements. To wit:
... so if you're running Windows or Linux or Macintosh or another flavor of Unix, you can use it," says Schneier. "So it's not that it's more suitable for hackers to use, it's just a more basic service and people who are anti-big-corporation are going to be more likely to use something like IRC."
"It's older, it's not tied to Microsoft or AOL or a big company, it's one of the Internet protocols
So, let's see:
* Anti-big-corporation (ABC) people are more likely to be hackers and thieves (see: 'Enron').
* Software that is multi-platform is ABC (as is multi-platform in general I imagine).
* Software that is simple (basic) is ABC.
* ABC people are more likely to use Unix and Mac. I guess they meant "for their personal use", rather than as the target of their "hacking" (cracking).
Sheesh, quite a lot of rubbish packed into one small paragraph.
So, let's see. To avoid "hackers" and be a "good guy", I should use a complex, single-platform software suite backed by a major corporation. Then I'd be safe, and wouldn't be a "bad guy". I guess I can see where this is heading.
I got IRC because I needed a straight-forward chat arrangement for a specific (intranet) reason. It was cheap (or free) and I had control within my network. I use it on the internet (I chat very little, but when I do) for many of the same reasons. That, and no bloody adverts.
I have worked for big corporations. They use many platforms (including Unix and Macs and MS), like multi-platform software, and prefer something straight-forward and simple (although they don't achieve it as much as they'd like). They even used IRC when they needed to. They are definitely NOT anti-big-corporation.
So, worse rubbish than usual for CNN. Considering their association with AOL, and their competing chat technology, I DON'T consider this informing the great un-techie unwashed masses. It's just bad, and to the point of questionable news-ethics-wise.
Smilodon
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Considering the overblown protesting over the Cassini mission a few years back, I have little belief that the public will even allow controlled experimentation with such technology.
Cassini was well within any reasonable person's definition of "safe". The most dangerous portion was the solid rocket motors of the Titan rocket that launched it. It was a tried system that was used in the Apollo missions (yes, radioactivity in Apollo! Horrors!).
I think all that is being asked in this admittedly PR-ish piece, is that some more money be spent on experimenting with alternative "in space" propulsion systems. Deep Space 1 was a perfect example, but let's stop doing it on a shoestring. We can't do anything until we explore some possibilities.
Science has been so successful in the past that experimentation has been translated to "implementing on a large scale world-wide". Space propulsion systems actually have little to do with power sources inside the earth's atmosphere (nuke plants), bombs or radioactive waste. Although, the benefits of experimentation with space systems might be applied to them.
I agree with previous posters that we need to find our power sources "out there" or "in route", but this may be a good stop-gap measure (and has been in the past, although more as a battery than propulsion).
Smilodon
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There was definitely a Series I 3000, although I believe it was very short-lived as a product. Much later, when I worked at HP, one of the hardware CEs had a series I nameplate on his desk (one of his prized possessions). He had upgraded the machine at my old school, and snapping up the old nameplate was a local tradition. I have some plates in my desk drawer right now, but nothing as rare as a series I.
I don't have much information on it, it may have been a bastardization of one of the earlier (pre series II) models you mentioned. I do know that it was the same two-cabinet form factor as the Series II (one with the tape drive). It had 128K of core-string memory, and ran MPE (of course).
Now that I think about it, I might be able to dredge up a picture of it from my school yearbook!
Smilodon
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Ah, yes... Those were the days. I imagine many of the younger geeks (how does it feel to be an old timer already Eris?) out there look at minicomputers as "mainframes" and imagine them in a huge multi-million dollar computer room somewhere.
But in fact, in their heyday, they existed on shop floors, in the back rooms of resturants, etc.. The power-failure feature was welcome by the little guys as a UPS usually cost as much as the computer back then (and the computers weren't cheap)!
And yes, I do miss the sense of family in the HP users world as well *waves back*.
As far as Bradmark goes, what I really miss is Chuy's!
Smilodon
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As someone who learned how to program on an HP3000 *Series I* (showing my age here), I can't help but feel bad about the decision, logical though it might be. New 3000s (based on PA-RISC hardware shared with the 9000) have been sold primarily as an upgrade path for existing users for quite a while. Apparently, those users (which paid the bills at HP for many years) are (finally) starting to dry up.
My career was made by these machines, although I saw the writing on the wall quite a while back and moved on. I worked for a number of companies that used 3000's (and probably still do in some form or fashion) including a long stint as a 3000 field software engineer with HP itself.
The system aged as gracefully as any computer in history, and was based on boring old dependability, much like the company itself used to be. Between this, the instrument/medical division (now Agilent) and calculators, it feels a little like the heart of the company has been removed.
I was fortunate enough to see the very first HP inkjet (in a little case that the Boise division guy practically handcuffed to his wrist), but had no idea how big it would end up being to the company.
I know there is little room for sentimentality in the computer world, but I have just as strong nostalgic feelings for these old beasties as any vintage video game. They are certainly deserving of respect.
If Linux is around 30 years from now, I think many of you (us) would have some sad feelings if the last copy were being deleted. Even if it was being replaced with something "better".
Should I burn the MPE source code fiche, in tribute?
Smilodon
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... for the special edition DVD? Most places I've tried are out of stock. Do all the special edition (metal box) versions come with the film cell?
I don't consider myself a huge anime fan, particularly since it became a real "genre" with different "sub-genres". I feel much of the work is so designed to appeal to the tiny sub-genres that not as much original work is produced.
There are exceptions. Akira is definitely one of them. It is one of the originals, and invented many of the archetypes used today. And most of them haven't really been done any better since. When it becomes available for rental, I'd recommend non-anime nuts give it a try.
Smilodon
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Although it has been implied here that IBMs new-technology CRTs will be heavier than the equivalent LCD panel, I still doubt it will be heavy enough to flatten an iMac.
I'd suggest a 50" Pioneer rear-projection TV. They have considerable heft, and can easily be lifted by a forklift.
This stands a better chance of success. The resulting iMac should not only be cheap, but nearly valueless.
Don't forget to back-up your system before trying this...
Smilodon
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They (Microsoft) are aggravating their loyal developer base as well. I attended last year's (7/2000) Microsoft PDC (Professional Developer's Conference) where the .NET "initiative" was rolled-out. It soon became obvious that Java was a non-starter in the .NET vision of the future. "What about Java?" questions were pretty much ignored by the Microsoft presenters, and the tone of the questions got more and more heated as the conference progressed. One person asked during a C# (C-sharp) presentation, "Isn't this Microsoft Java?", which obviously angered the presenter.
Remember, most of these folks are die-hard Microsoft developers, who have been using MS J++ to develop enterprise applications (and yes, applets). I think Microsoft hopes that in a couple of years, everybody will be using C# and this whole Java thing will have been a bad dream. The most recent move of not including the JRE is no surprise, considering this strategy. Next will be not making it available from Microsoft at all.
Of course, Sun could have won the day by announcing during the conference that they were releasing Java to a standards committee, but that was just wishful thinking. I imagine that Cold Fusion will be the next target, XP somehow causing CF pages to be mysteriously broken or a "security risk" (hint: Use ASP+ instead).
I'm not a big Microsoft "conspirist". Frankly, a conspiracy implies some sort of subterfuge or cleverness in my opinion. Microsoft is far too heavy-handed to rate that title. They're just bullies, nothing more.
Smilodon
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The big fear of this writer seems to be that we are paying less attention... to advertising not content. ADD as in ADvertising. Does that make us more stupid? Is that such a bad thing?
Can this really be such a surprise? We are inundated with advertising more and more, and in a more heavy-handed way than ever before. Also, the things that are being pitched are less and less notable, new or desirable.
I'm continually beseeched by adverts for credit cards, mortgage refinancing, drugs I don't need (I think, they never really say what they're for, "ask your doctor"), financial schemes and household cleaners that don't really have any real "competition" (I have too many credit cards, I don't have a house, what is "Zorbland", I don't have money to invest, bleach is bleach).
I know this has always been the case (NEW, BETTER FAB!), but it just seems to get and worse and worse as the outlets for advertising (and number of advertisers) seem to be expanding.
Eventually, you just learn to "block it out". I will still pay for content that warrants it, but not when I can get it for free. That's why media that mostly provide sports scores and weather reports are crying the blues.
I think we are actually becoming a more "sophisticated", rather than less, audience for advertisers. Car companies, for one, have learned that emotional reasons play a part in purchases (IE ads with SUVs parked on mountaintops), but you must have the product to back it up.
Smilodon
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First off, my comments were relating to the plusses/minuses of how the US space program is run v/s the old Soviet system, not a comment on the supposed perfection of the US. That being said, I do prefer living in the US v/s a communist/totalitarian system. And, I believe the US system suffers when it eliminates personal freedoms, becoming more like the systems it claims as an enemy. But to specifically answer your screed...
From this I take it that you have never lived poor in the Grand Old US of A.
No, you are wrong. I just don't have a chip on my shoulder about it.
Poor ppl exist here. Shitty jobs exist here. Exploitation exists here. Worse than the pre - collapse USSR (which incorporates more than the Russian republic)
Now, that's some uninformed rubbish.
Do you want an example of experimentation that the us did to further our technological knowledge? what about the nuclear tests that they conducted on US soldiers to determine the exact effects of radiation?
That's precisely the type of dangerous military cold war thinking that begs for a strong civilian presence in space v/s a military one (IE USSR and US if we aren't careful). I don't claim to be apologizing for every wrong the US ever committed, or ignoring them. You seem to be missing the point entirely.
You want one example of a job with horrible working conditions? cole miners. want another? sweat shops. Want another? under the table construction (you know, without the safety equipment). Want another? migrant worker. Just because you have a cool middle or upper class techi job does not mean that everyone in this country is doing fine.
And everyone in every other country IS doing fine? And coal mining is a breeze in Kajakastan? Again, you assume too much, and make your point on those assumptions, rather than my original post. Coal mining has historically been a difficult job. Even when US mines conditions were much worse (depression era) than today, being a coal miner in the US was still one of the better places to do that difficult and dangerous job. I am a descendant of coal miners and steelworkers. They did well enough to allow their children to do other work, if they wished. One of my "bourgeoisie" (he's laughing) co-workers is descended from migrant workers. The US system allows this. What is your point? The other things you mentioned are illegal, so occur less often here than, say, China.
I was born a us citizen. I grew up very poor. Most of my pre-teen peers are either dead or on major drugs to try to forget what they do for a living. I was lucky and have a natural aptitude with computers. I was also obstinate and stubborn, and refused to give up. So I got out.
In general, I'd like to keep the US a place where more people can be "lucky" like you. Being rich or poor doesn't give you exclusive license to screw up your life with "major drugs", or have things to forget. Or be dead for that matter. "I was also obstinate and stubborn, and refused to give up. So I got out." is as much an American story as anything. So is being appalled at people being poor in your country, as am I.
One basic premise exists in all economic systems. Balance exists. If one person makes an insane amount of money, other ppl go without. Those on top necessitate those on the bottom. It is an ugly fact of life. I dare you to drive into a ghetto in any major city in the US, then go to the ppl you see and try to explain how great our system is. You are painfully ignorant.
I dare you to walk into a ghetto anywhere in the world and proclaim anything! Ghettos are a dangerous place, that's why they are what they are. I've had friends there, been there, and tried to help a few folks out of them by developing their "natural computer aptitude". You see every problem in the world as insolvable at a personal level, and completely controlled by outside "oppressor" or "power" factions. At the individual level, I don't believe that to be true. If I am "painfully ignorant" in this area, I only wish more people were.
And historically the Germans and the USSR'ians have been very innovative. A lot of it has to do with the innovation of a few brilliant individuals who could care less about what their government is doing, who they are at war with, and who is a stinkin commie bastard, and who is a great and wonderful, kind and compassionate hero of the great 'capitalism'. Intelligence and innovation exists without creed, political bent, geographic coordinates, sex, sexual preference, color, country of origin, or any of the other prejudices that you may hold.
I have a picture of Werner Von Braun (with my dad!) hanging on my wall. They are both personal heroes of mine. Although, I never forget that Von Braun used to further his rocket knowledge at the behest of the Nazi's (even if under duress). Hence my (modest) distaste with the militiarization of space. I am fortunate to occasionally meet with my Russian counterparts (software developers), and respect them greatly. I try to hold as few prejudices as possible, but I'm sure I have as many as the next guy. I do try to keep a "bent" toward rational thinking, and a "prejudice" towards personal freedom.
I too, can only handle so much ignorance.
Smilodon
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I guess vitriol is the standard bill of fare here at /. anymore, unless the article is about Linus or a new game/game device. Still the tone of some of the posts is baffling (excluding the usual trolls), and beggars logic in some cases. To wit...
/.ers) was not a consideration. The safety of the workers and surrounding populace was not a consideration. The validity of the experiments performed was not a consideration. The "budget" was not a consideration. Hell, given a few more years, the Germans could have achieved "cheap" access to space, since they were using slave labor for many tasks (a financial bargain I'm sure).
How great the Russian space program is/was. No argument here, they've accomplished much. But consider what it took to get them there. Communism. People could be forced to do any unpleasant or hazardous jobs. The "exorbitant" salaries of space workers (insert knowing laugh here) were not a consideration under this system. The opinion of the public (gasp! even
It's exactly these thorny "problems" (public/congressional support, having to attract/pay employees, etc.) that cause some of the unfortunate situations mentioned. If we had simply let the Air Force keep control of the program back in the late 50's/early 60's, given them Apollo-level budget and the ability to conscript any people or knowledge they might need, we'd probably have one hell of a space capability by now. Why, we'd probably already have had our first space war (just like Star Wars!) by now as well.
The moon landings were done in a spirit of patriotism and competition, as an alternative to war. When these feelings wane, it is difficult to maintain such an expensive program on logic and common sense. I think NASA does an admirable job of trying to do this as they beg in front of a group of politicians every year to try and explain why something like the Hubble is of some advantage to a congressman's district.
Still, I think this is a better way to maintain a space program than building it on the backs of people waiting in line for bread. I think the money complaints I've heard here are based more on "what I'd do with that money..." opinions than actual food being taken out of your mouth.
As far as replacing the shuttle with a wondrous new cheap, fast, easy, state of tomorrow's art vehicle, I'm sure you would get no argument from those "overpaid, NASA welfare" workers everyone seems to have seen when watching the CNN show. Most space workers have been layed off before, and don't fear it as much as you'd think. They work here because they want to, not because the pay and healthcare benefits.
But where is the money to develop this new vehicle? Lots of staring at the floor, clearing of throats, shuffling of feet by the naysayers at this point. Until the public demands this, and is willing to spend the money (IE no tax cut), the people in the CNN special work very hard indeed to keep the old birds flying.
I thought the CNN show was great in explaining some of the difficulties of seemingly "easy" manned orbital flight. But, remember that it was trying to be a little entertaining as well. Don't accept some of the glib reasoning of the CNN reporter on why things are done as they are, he's trying not to bore you with the details...
Sorry for the tirade...
Smilodon
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No offense to the review writer. I am sure they managed to get the finer points of the book across better than I could have.
But...
I'm relieved they're writing reviews rather than books. This one reads like a book report on the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act. A novel-length work in this style would have me reaching for a double-strength can of Red Bull (and a thesaurus as well, I'm afraid).
Smilodon
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Compaq also had a laptop in production (can't remember the name/number) with a very similar form factor about 5 or 6 (or more) years ago. I used one and loved it, but it never seemed to catch on.
Obviously, it was a little more clunky that the machine mentioned in the article (laptops being a little thicker back then), and the keyboard (and pen I think) were corded. But, it worked great and made a great desktop when the keyboard was detached. Not to mention the pen was mighter than the mouse (for some things).
So, Apple wasn't the first with this idea either. And this one was in production.
Smilodon
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