Thankfully, the Pythagoras Switch (pitagora suicchi) Rube Goldberg machine videos are still up. Great example of sharing fun stuff from one country to the delight of kids (and adults!) all over the world.
Sometimes the teachers at a community college are there for the noble reasons of which you speak. However, there are those c.c. instructors who are there for far less than the love of teaching. The position may be a steady income in a field where competition is fierce. In some locations, it may be the only alternative to relocation to an area where such skill sets are in demand. And for a few, a c.c. position may be the ticket to a whimsical job with few responsibilites, along with a few halfway-decent facilities as perks.
Yes, I realize that's a pessimistic and negative viewpoint, but from personal experience, all is not wine and roses in community colleges.
I receive nothing from SPCR, nor do I work there. I do post a lot of links to there because I am sensitive to background noise and happen to have used their articles and forums extensively when building my PC.
What I'd like to know is why you insist on insinuating that my motives are for my or SPCR's monetary benefit. My comment has not been moderated up much at all, so many people will not be reading it or following the link. You seem to have a knack for researching and debate; you could be directing those efforts towards challenging more highly-moderated posts.
If you'd like, I'd be happy to discuss ideas with you. I'll even delete my comments linking to SPCR if you feel I am detrimental to the Slashdot community and/or being a "shill" for SPCR. Otherwise, please continue your efforts towards keeping posters honest.
I don't run SPCR, it's not my own website. I also don't see how it's any different from posting a link to a review by some other independent review site. I think I made it pretty clear what SPCR's focus was in my OP as well, so no one is going to be fooled into thinking that they are attempting to hide their "bias focus".
I'm not even sure why I even bother to reply to you, AC, since you probably will not bother to read this nor seem reasonable enough not to resort to name-calling.
Silent PC Review has had a review of this drive up for some time. Some desktop users prefer using notebook drives for generally quieter performance. Naturally, the SPCR review will focus more on the acoustical properties of the drive, but it's at least a different perspective and an interesting read.
C'mon Slashdotters, how many times must we quiet/silent PC enthusiasts link it before you actually take a look and read what constitutes a silent PC?
http://www.silentpcreview.com/
I'm no fan of the Bush administration, but you've got to admire their command of spin, PR, insinuation and all the other advertising tricks they've pulled over the last few years.
For instance, if you say that "the Bush Administration's assertions that Saddam Hussein was rebuilding his nuclear weapons program were based on evidence that was doubted by the government's foremost nuclear security experts", that does not specifically say that all the nuclear experts were in agreement about such a conclusion. The administration could then cherry-pick a few intelligence reports (of which I assume there are hundreds, perhaps thousands) that support their theories, then claim that "the research shows", "intelligence reports indicate", etc. The insinuation that a majority of the reports stake similar claims is false; however, such conclusions are to be made by the press and the public and are not to be directly and specifically stated by the administration, avoiding the accusation of "lying" per se.
These people (on both sides) are masters of advertising. Pay attention, everyone; it is now your responsibility to filter out data and fact from spin and PR.
I recommend viewing Spinsanity.com and reading "All The President's Spin" for more, and watching anything important (like the "debates") on C-SPAN.
Re:And this is an issue because?
on
Open the Debates
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
There is no reason why there cannot be multiple debates. There is no reason why any debate should suffer the agreements and back door dealings of the two major players as to format, content, LACK OF FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS, and innumerable other deals made by the D and R coalition here, designed to reduce the debate into a two hour recital of practiced sound bites as it currently is, because the major parties want it that way.
Oh my, did someone else just say that? These are my sentiments exactly. I recall seeing Mario Cuomo on CSPAN making the case for multiple debates. I thought it would be a marvelous idea: have the candidates spend some of that TV money and "stump speech" time to instead debate 5-10 times. Each debate could have a different set topic, such as "The Economy", "Healthcare" or "Iraq and the Middle East", along with different multiple moderators each time, some of whom would be experts in the field of discussion. Try as they might, I doubt that either (or any, if we have more than two) candidate could "sound bite" his way though two hours of a single topic. Then again, these guys are masterful spin doctors.
If you make the arcs fairly engaging and not overly long (perhaps over one season), you may be able to get a loyal viewer base... seems to work for "24". Hard to say, though, whether JMS has something that revolutionary brewing in his brain to hook people for the whole first season. Maybe it also takes a talented, big-name actor (like Kiefer Sutherland) to headline the show from the get-go to attract the masses.
If I had points right now, I'd mod you insightful. The prospect of great minds being able to study not only sciences but arts as well harkens back to the Da Vinci "renaissance man", who could draw from all his knowledge and inspiration to create a synergy of new and groundbreaking ideas. If and when people are able to invest such time in many disciplines, we may just see another intellectual spark, such as in ancient Greece, the Renaissance or the Age of Enlightenment. During such a time, perhaps people will begin to realize that all disciplines are interconnected, or as a Zen proverb says, "All ways are One in the end".
"The Register of Known Spam Operations
(ROKSO) database collates information and evidence on known hard-line spam operations that have been terminated by a minimum of 3 consecutive Service Providers for serious spam offenses.
200 Known Spam Operations responsible for 90% of your spam.
90% of spam received by Internet users in North America and Europe can be traced via redirects, hosting locations of web sites, domains and aliases, to a hard-core group of around 200 known spam operations, almost all of whom are listed in the ROKSO database. These spam operations consist of an estimated 500-600 professional spammers loosely grouped into gangs ("spam gangs"), the vast majority of whom are operating illegally, and who move from network to network seeking out Internet Service Providers ("ISPs") known for lax enforcing of anti-spam policies."
Clean your LP and perhaps your stylus.
LP: At the cheapest, try water and mild dishwashing liquid. I'd never do that, but most probably have that around. On a level higher, get yourself a Discwasher LP cleaning kit--basically a big velvet-like brush that gets into the grooves along with some cleaning fluid. There are more specialized vinyl cleaners that do a better job of cleaning ingrained mold, dirt and grease from grooves, but obviously will come at a higher price. If you're really serious about your vinyl, perhaps if you have a significant collection of hard-to-find records, try a Record Doctor II. It'll set you back a good $200, but it'll clean your records with vacuum power. Suck the vinyl so the vinyl doesn't suck.
Stylus: Your stylus may be both really dirty and badly damaged. Good cleaners include LAST, Discwasher and Stanton. If you need a replacement, spend $40 and get a nice Audio-Technica, Shure or Grado phono cartridge.
If you at the very least clean the LP, I can almost guarantee less hiss and less clicks, along with a good chance of hearing more out of that recording than you had since it was brand new. There's a lot of cheap, used vinyl out there waiting to be found.
PoisonousPhat, self-proclaimed vinyl freak.
Re:SIlence is a pipe dream for me
on
A Silent PC Solution?
·
· Score: 2, Informative
Not true--in fact, there is now a 200gb version.
No, it IS true--the version you speak of is not the Barracuda IV. Seagate introduced the Barracuda IV in 2001, followed by the Barracuda V in 2002. While the Barracuda V received a stay of execution by becoming an early adopter of the SATA interface this year, the Barracuda IV was discontinued. The current iteration of the Barracuda line, the 7200.7 models, are much different acoustically (since noise is the focus of this article) than that that had gone B-IV (get it, B-IV=before??? groan...). The 7200.7 are so different that Silent PC Review (which seems to be/.ed at the moment) rated it on (I think) a notch lower than the B-IV on their 1-10 scale of quietest HDs.
Doesn't look like you'll have to worry about that. As a previous poster commented, the ads seem to require (for now) Internet Explorer. If that gets changed, then I think we (I'm also a happy Adblock user) will be able to block the ads just like regular flash ads. On the Unicast site, their Header Specs page seems to indicate that the code will still have to call a specific location in order to retrieve the ad, which is then easy to stamp out using Adblock.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here; IANA Programmer and am not sure if there are tricky Java-based things they could do to get around regular ad blocking measures.
Bose... good... really? Take a look at this, 'The Bose FAQ', then decide for yourself... but don't just repeat the hype. From personal experience, I prefer the Sennheiser line of noise-cancellation headphones for their sound quality, not to mention the far more attractive price point. Most expensive does not always indicate highest quality.
Sorry, I get worked up when people equate "Bose" with "good"... maybe you had good experiences with Bose equipment.
That's good that they are winning the efficiency battle, but if "OLEDs begin to fade after 3,000-to-4,000 hours" vs LCDs which "generally have a life expectancy of around 100,000 hours", then we are still very much in the interesting-but-not-quite-useable stage as far as computing is concerned. However, they seem to be fine as light bulb replacements, especially if production costs are low. Note that my figures are from an article from August 2003. Anyone have more recent statistics?
Ah, a fellow "simulator sickness" sufferer. At least you don't get nauseous from FPS games like CounterStrike, like I do.
If the image fills most of your field of vision, the movement on screen will trick your brain into thinking it is actually happening. Without the corresponding movement in your body, things can get very weird.
This could be why the more expensive simulators, like flight training simulators or entertainment simulators like "Star Tours" are equipped with all those hydraulics to make the physical motion sync with the visual motion. Well, that, and to make it really "realistic".
Read more about simulator sickness:
Simulator Sickness
Mikoca writes
"Information Week carries the story of how it's author signed it "andy" and left the message "I'm just doing my job, nothing personal, sorry." Thanks, Andy!"
Is this saying that Mikoca is thanking Andy for inserting his name into the code, or thanking Andy for writing the virus? I'm under the assumption that it is the former, but just to be sure... I'd hate to see, of all links submitted regarding this news item (and I'm sure there were quite a few), that this one was approved by the Slashdot staff for its double meaning. I have no love for SCO and IANAL, but PLEASE be careful how you word things, everyone.
Apparently not, since I decided I was too cool for my own good and didn't try searching the replies for "Earth: Final Conflict". Feel free to mod down my ineptitude; I deserve this one!!!
Am I the only one who thinks this idea is ripe for science-fiction-turned-science-fact? Here's a picture of the darned thing if you never watched the series:
Global
A commercial item just like this, albeit a bit pricey, is made in Japan. The Smart Drive, now in its 2nd generation (as the "2002" model), does a great job of sealing off HDD noise, IMO (I own and use two). It seems to combine heat transfer through the aluminum and a bit of convection within the enclosure to keep the drive cool.
Let me also be an advocate of Silent PC Review; if anything, quieting your computer through equipment modifications or replacements suggested on the site could benefit your health through a reduction in background noise.
Slashdot Mirror
Thankfully, the Pythagoras Switch (pitagora suicchi) Rube Goldberg machine videos are still up. Great example of sharing fun stuff from one country to the delight of kids (and adults!) all over the world.
Sometimes the teachers at a community college are there for the noble reasons of which you speak. However, there are those c.c. instructors who are there for far less than the love of teaching. The position may be a steady income in a field where competition is fierce. In some locations, it may be the only alternative to relocation to an area where such skill sets are in demand. And for a few, a c.c. position may be the ticket to a whimsical job with few responsibilites, along with a few halfway-decent facilities as perks.
Yes, I realize that's a pessimistic and negative viewpoint, but from personal experience, all is not wine and roses in community colleges.
Only 19 PSUs tested, but you can still get to the site (for now).
. html
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200507111/index
To cut to the chase, TH recommended the Fortron FSP300-60GNF and the Seasonic S12 600.
I receive nothing from SPCR, nor do I work there. I do post a lot of links to there because I am sensitive to background noise and happen to have used their articles and forums extensively when building my PC. What I'd like to know is why you insist on insinuating that my motives are for my or SPCR's monetary benefit. My comment has not been moderated up much at all, so many people will not be reading it or following the link. You seem to have a knack for researching and debate; you could be directing those efforts towards challenging more highly-moderated posts. If you'd like, I'd be happy to discuss ideas with you. I'll even delete my comments linking to SPCR if you feel I am detrimental to the Slashdot community and/or being a "shill" for SPCR. Otherwise, please continue your efforts towards keeping posters honest.
I don't run SPCR, it's not my own website. I also don't see how it's any different from posting a link to a review by some other independent review site. I think I made it pretty clear what SPCR's focus was in my OP as well, so no one is going to be fooled into thinking that they are attempting to hide their "bias focus". I'm not even sure why I even bother to reply to you, AC, since you probably will not bother to read this nor seem reasonable enough not to resort to name-calling.
Silent PC Review has had a review of this drive up for some time. Some desktop users prefer using notebook drives for generally quieter performance. Naturally, the SPCR review will focus more on the acoustical properties of the drive, but it's at least a different perspective and an interesting read.
C'mon Slashdotters, how many times must we quiet/silent PC enthusiasts link it before you actually take a look and read what constitutes a silent PC? http://www.silentpcreview.com/
I'm no fan of the Bush administration, but you've got to admire their command of spin, PR, insinuation and all the other advertising tricks they've pulled over the last few years. For instance, if you say that "the Bush Administration's assertions that Saddam Hussein was rebuilding his nuclear weapons program were based on evidence that was doubted by the government's foremost nuclear security experts", that does not specifically say that all the nuclear experts were in agreement about such a conclusion. The administration could then cherry-pick a few intelligence reports (of which I assume there are hundreds, perhaps thousands) that support their theories, then claim that "the research shows", "intelligence reports indicate", etc. The insinuation that a majority of the reports stake similar claims is false; however, such conclusions are to be made by the press and the public and are not to be directly and specifically stated by the administration, avoiding the accusation of "lying" per se. These people (on both sides) are masters of advertising. Pay attention, everyone; it is now your responsibility to filter out data and fact from spin and PR. I recommend viewing Spinsanity.com and reading "All The President's Spin" for more, and watching anything important (like the "debates") on C-SPAN.
Oh my, did someone else just say that? These are my sentiments exactly. I recall seeing Mario Cuomo on CSPAN making the case for multiple debates. I thought it would be a marvelous idea: have the candidates spend some of that TV money and "stump speech" time to instead debate 5-10 times. Each debate could have a different set topic, such as "The Economy", "Healthcare" or "Iraq and the Middle East", along with different multiple moderators each time, some of whom would be experts in the field of discussion. Try as they might, I doubt that either (or any, if we have more than two) candidate could "sound bite" his way though two hours of a single topic. Then again, these guys are masterful spin doctors.
If you make the arcs fairly engaging and not overly long (perhaps over one season), you may be able to get a loyal viewer base... seems to work for "24". Hard to say, though, whether JMS has something that revolutionary brewing in his brain to hook people for the whole first season. Maybe it also takes a talented, big-name actor (like Kiefer Sutherland) to headline the show from the get-go to attract the masses.
If I had points right now, I'd mod you insightful. The prospect of great minds being able to study not only sciences but arts as well harkens back to the Da Vinci "renaissance man", who could draw from all his knowledge and inspiration to create a synergy of new and groundbreaking ideas. If and when people are able to invest such time in many disciplines, we may just see another intellectual spark, such as in ancient Greece, the Renaissance or the Age of Enlightenment. During such a time, perhaps people will begin to realize that all disciplines are interconnected, or as a Zen proverb says, "All ways are One in the end".
"The Register of Known Spam Operations (ROKSO) database collates information and evidence on known hard-line spam operations that have been terminated by a minimum of 3 consecutive Service Providers for serious spam offenses.
200 Known Spam Operations responsible for 90% of your spam.
90% of spam received by Internet users in North America and Europe can be traced via redirects, hosting locations of web sites, domains and aliases, to a hard-core group of around 200 known spam operations, almost all of whom are listed in the ROKSO database. These spam operations consist of an estimated 500-600 professional spammers loosely grouped into gangs ("spam gangs"), the vast majority of whom are operating illegally, and who move from network to network seeking out Internet Service Providers ("ISPs") known for lax enforcing of anti-spam policies."
Clean your LP and perhaps your stylus. LP: At the cheapest, try water and mild dishwashing liquid. I'd never do that, but most probably have that around. On a level higher, get yourself a Discwasher LP cleaning kit--basically a big velvet-like brush that gets into the grooves along with some cleaning fluid. There are more specialized vinyl cleaners that do a better job of cleaning ingrained mold, dirt and grease from grooves, but obviously will come at a higher price. If you're really serious about your vinyl, perhaps if you have a significant collection of hard-to-find records, try a Record Doctor II. It'll set you back a good $200, but it'll clean your records with vacuum power. Suck the vinyl so the vinyl doesn't suck. Stylus: Your stylus may be both really dirty and badly damaged. Good cleaners include LAST, Discwasher and Stanton. If you need a replacement, spend $40 and get a nice Audio-Technica, Shure or Grado phono cartridge. If you at the very least clean the LP, I can almost guarantee less hiss and less clicks, along with a good chance of hearing more out of that recording than you had since it was brand new. There's a lot of cheap, used vinyl out there waiting to be found. PoisonousPhat, self-proclaimed vinyl freak.
No, it IS true--the version you speak of is not the Barracuda IV. Seagate introduced the Barracuda IV in 2001, followed by the Barracuda V in 2002. While the Barracuda V received a stay of execution by becoming an early adopter of the SATA interface this year, the Barracuda IV was discontinued. The current iteration of the Barracuda line, the 7200.7 models, are much different acoustically (since noise is the focus of this article) than that that had gone B-IV (get it, B-IV=before??? groan...). The 7200.7 are so different that Silent PC Review (which seems to be /.ed at the moment) rated it on (I think) a notch lower than the B-IV on their 1-10 scale of quietest HDs.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here; IANA Programmer and am not sure if there are tricky Java-based things they could do to get around regular ad blocking measures.
Sorry, I get worked up when people equate "Bose" with "good"... maybe you had good experiences with Bose equipment.
No Slashdot post about computer noise is complete without a link to Silent PC Review.
That's good that they are winning the efficiency battle, but if "OLEDs begin to fade after 3,000-to-4,000 hours" vs LCDs which "generally have a life expectancy of around 100,000 hours", then we are still very much in the interesting-but-not-quite-useable stage as far as computing is concerned. However, they seem to be fine as light bulb replacements, especially if production costs are low. Note that my figures are from an article from August 2003. Anyone have more recent statistics?
Ah, a fellow "simulator sickness" sufferer. At least you don't get nauseous from FPS games like CounterStrike, like I do.
If the image fills most of your field of vision, the movement on screen will trick your brain into thinking it is actually happening. Without the corresponding movement in your body, things can get very weird.
This could be why the more expensive simulators, like flight training simulators or entertainment simulators like "Star Tours" are equipped with all those hydraulics to make the physical motion sync with the visual motion. Well, that, and to make it really "realistic". Read more about simulator sickness: Simulator Sickness
Apparently not, since I decided I was too cool for my own good and didn't try searching the replies for "Earth: Final Conflict". Feel free to mod down my ineptitude; I deserve this one!!!
Am I the only one who thinks this idea is ripe for science-fiction-turned-science-fact? Here's a picture of the darned thing if you never watched the series: Global
No, unfortunately, Greedo and Han will each have their blaster replaced by a device that looks like a high-tech walkie talkie.
'Lemmings were induced into jumping off a cliff for this Disney nature film'
...surely there's SOMETHING else more worthy of study.
Let me also be an advocate of Silent PC Review; if anything, quieting your computer through equipment modifications or replacements suggested on the site could benefit your health through a reduction in background noise.