It would have had to be an awesome RTG to survive a Martian polar winter. CO2 ice forms below -100C and we believe the probe was covered in nearly a foot of this stuff. The coldest temperature measured was -97C, while the Phoenix was still running... You'd have to keep it warm, keep the ice from forming, and melt any "snow". That's a formidable task.
I know I got mod'd Troll... but my post was in response to the tone of the op ed:
The thing is, Apple's enigmatic frontman doesn't turn up to these geeky WWDC shindigs unless he has something to announce which will get the hyped-up gang of Apple fanboys and girls a-whoopin' and a-hollerin'
They're decent products but they really do get over hyped.
Just pick something you want to work on and do it. Doesn't matter what it is.
Build your own equipment (you might discover something along the way); or, troll through trash and scrap from "tech" companies, go to auction houses, online auctions, flea markets, and so on. I built my own furnace by starting with a $20 refurbished toaster oven and modifying it. I got a vacuum pump by acquiring a turbo pump station from trash (with permission of the company) and then salvaging and repairing the roughing pump. I refurbished an oxygen generator that a medical supply/rental place threw away -- so now I have an endless supply of dry low pressure 95% purity oxygen.
When you need parts, the internet is your friend. I always start with Mcmaster or Digikey. If you're willing to be creative, you'd be surprised what you can find on Amazon and Ebay. Cheap (disposable) tools can be obtained from Harbor Freight. Several sources sell chemicals in small quantities -- but a lot of chemicals can be source from hardware stores and similar sources(if you know what to look for).
Last place I worked, as a technician, was a nuclear physics lab. Linux and OS X ruled. Software written in Fortan (still widely used!), C, Java, Tcl/TK.
Current job is engineering for instrumentation manufacturer. Windows rules. Software written in C, Visual Basic, LabView, Matlab. Most of the engineering tools are too expensive for high school budgets: AutoCAD, ProE, Orcad
We are the Borg. Lower your shields, and surrender your ship. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours. Resistance is futile.
For those who've forgotten, the project that resulted in the Vista release was reset at least once. Remember Longhorn? From Wikipedia :
Faced with ongoing delays and concerns about feature creep, Microsoft announced on August 27, 2004 that it was making significant changes. "Longhorn" development basically started afresh, building on the Windows Server 2003 codebase, and re-incorporating only the features that would be intended for an actual operating system release.
Yeah, I'm aware of that... I'm outside the problem working for a contractor that supplies unrelated tech. So, I only see what's published in the media. And based on that, I seem to recall there was an argument made that the shuttles could be safely extended for two launches per year for 4 or 5 years based on their last re-certification. There would be a lack of parts (some of which I acknowledge haven't been made for several years) but the most worrisome are the tanks (external and as you say, internal) and SSME's.
Let's not get all teary eyed just now. Atlantis isn't home yet. And Congress may still extend the program (I'm not holding my breath on that one though) -- they have not approved the new plan and budget.
Not quite. That allows too much freedom of motion and visibility.
Try an arctic survival suit over a wetsuit with a full motorcycle helmet, faceplate down, wearing hockey gloves, carrying a hundred pound backpack, all while hanging upside down in the dark. Now begin by changing the batteries and...
In fact, the external tank is the pacing item. If they spun up manufacturing again, today, there would be a multi-year gap in after 2 or 3 more launches.
I second that for Pascal. But not for BASIC. Ever.
I wrote a lot of software that did directly access hardware with Pascal. Graphics and sound cards, a bit of embedded assembler, other systems programming, a little OS, to learn how things work. It's actually nicer than doing it in C. BUT: That was over 10 years ago.
I started with BASIC. 30 years ago. Direct access to the hardware was often required then on BASIC machines. A lot of coding included significant chunks of pre-compiled inline machine code. But, I guess things are different now...
It's difficult for some kids to get their start with C -- it's difficult to wrap their head around. Pointers really mess with some students... You can start with something else and then transition them to C like languages once they have the basics down, and still end up with competent programmers.
First of all, I believe they're talking about a U.S. high school level course. Second, having learned on BASIC and Pascal myself, I can assure you that you can learn fundamentals and internal operations using those languages.
While I agree that there's a lack of technical content in this posting... Who gets nominated to the Supreme Court does affect the tech industry. Especially now, with the copyright and patent litigation that's being brought before the courts.
Slashdot Mirror
They're working up a Declaration of War now...
It would have had to be an awesome RTG to survive a Martian polar winter. CO2 ice forms below -100C and we believe the probe was covered in nearly a foot of this stuff. The coldest temperature measured was -97C, while the Phoenix was still running... You'd have to keep it warm, keep the ice from forming, and melt any "snow". That's a formidable task.
The thing is, Apple's enigmatic frontman doesn't turn up to these geeky WWDC shindigs unless he has something to announce which will get the hyped-up gang of Apple fanboys and girls a-whoopin' and a-hollerin'
They're decent products but they really do get over hyped.
RDF All hail Jobs! Bow before him now! Behold the miraculous wonder he has created now! /RDF
Just pick something you want to work on and do it. Doesn't matter what it is.
Build your own equipment (you might discover something along the way); or, troll through trash and scrap from "tech" companies, go to auction houses, online auctions, flea markets, and so on. I built my own furnace by starting with a $20 refurbished toaster oven and modifying it. I got a vacuum pump by acquiring a turbo pump station from trash (with permission of the company) and then salvaging and repairing the roughing pump. I refurbished an oxygen generator that a medical supply/rental place threw away -- so now I have an endless supply of dry low pressure 95% purity oxygen.
When you need parts, the internet is your friend. I always start with Mcmaster or Digikey. If you're willing to be creative, you'd be surprised what you can find on Amazon and Ebay. Cheap (disposable) tools can be obtained from Harbor Freight. Several sources sell chemicals in small quantities -- but a lot of chemicals can be source from hardware stores and similar sources(if you know what to look for).
Just do it.
Last place I worked, as a technician, was a nuclear physics lab. Linux and OS X ruled. Software written in Fortan (still widely used!), C, Java, Tcl/TK.
Current job is engineering for instrumentation manufacturer. Windows rules. Software written in C, Visual Basic, LabView, Matlab. Most of the engineering tools are too expensive for high school budgets: AutoCAD, ProE, Orcad
Why yes, the USAF might be interested in a genetically engineered flying pony.
We are the Borg. Lower your shields, and surrender your ship. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours. Resistance is futile.
Faced with ongoing delays and concerns about feature creep, Microsoft announced on August 27, 2004 that it was making significant changes. "Longhorn" development basically started afresh, building on the Windows Server 2003 codebase, and re-incorporating only the features that would be intended for an actual operating system release.
I know of several cures. Spectracide makes one. The bugs go away and they don't come back...
Yeah, I'm aware of that... I'm outside the problem working for a contractor that supplies unrelated tech. So, I only see what's published in the media. And based on that, I seem to recall there was an argument made that the shuttles could be safely extended for two launches per year for 4 or 5 years based on their last re-certification. There would be a lack of parts (some of which I acknowledge haven't been made for several years) but the most worrisome are the tanks (external and as you say, internal) and SSME's.
Let's not get all teary eyed just now. Atlantis isn't home yet. And Congress may still extend the program (I'm not holding my breath on that one though) -- they have not approved the new plan and budget.
*Raises hand*
Not quite. That allows too much freedom of motion and visibility.
Try an arctic survival suit over a wetsuit with a full motorcycle helmet, faceplate down, wearing hockey gloves, carrying a hundred pound backpack, all while hanging upside down in the dark. Now begin by changing the batteries and...
Been pushed back to no earlier than May 23, according to this
In fact, the external tank is the pacing item. If they spun up manufacturing again, today, there would be a multi-year gap in after 2 or 3 more launches.
I second that for Pascal. But not for BASIC. Ever. I wrote a lot of software that did directly access hardware with Pascal. Graphics and sound cards, a bit of embedded assembler, other systems programming, a little OS, to learn how things work. It's actually nicer than doing it in C. BUT: That was over 10 years ago.
I started with BASIC. 30 years ago. Direct access to the hardware was often required then on BASIC machines. A lot of coding included significant chunks of pre-compiled inline machine code. But, I guess things are different now...
Its death has also been foretold. Three years hence... tick. tick. tick.
It's difficult for some kids to get their start with C -- it's difficult to wrap their head around. Pointers really mess with some students... You can start with something else and then transition them to C like languages once they have the basics down, and still end up with competent programmers.
First of all, I believe they're talking about a U.S. high school level course. Second, having learned on BASIC and Pascal myself, I can assure you that you can learn fundamentals and internal operations using those languages.
Sure! Look how healthy this fine 4ft 80lb emaciated young man is. He's the picture of health!
and this is a good thing...
While I agree that there's a lack of technical content in this posting... Who gets nominated to the Supreme Court does affect the tech industry. Especially now, with the copyright and patent litigation that's being brought before the courts.
Not required for nomination to the Supreme Court.
I guess we'll have to stop managing by chemistry alone and use some of the old methods again. Renaissance time for small farmers?