Love the last comment about 'paying for media center whether or not you have an optical drive'...What system today doesn't come with one? This just made my mind up..when the time comes to replace my system..I will buy a Macbook...
I concur..Pen and Paper, then transcribe your notes to your computer--this way you've went over them twice..and organized them. This helps the memory process.
There are so many things wrong with this industry that it's hard to write a concise response; but I will try.
No oversight from SDWA/CWA--the Halliburton Loophole allows for the practice of Hydraulic Fracturing without the need for the oversight provided by these regulations.
PA has cut the DEP budget to pre-1997 levels. They do not have the money (or enough inspectors) to insure the safe operation of the wells currently in operation.
Forced Pooling---my neighbors have sold their mineral rights, so mine are sold by 'default', whether or not I want to sell them. Sure I get paid, but that's not the point--it's a direct violation of my Private Property rights.
Huge pools of these 'frack fluids' (the exact chemical compositions are industry secrets--we know what they are, just not the mix or concentrations.) that are exposed to the elements, to significant rainfall amounts, heck to even joe squirrell or Bambi who happens along and can drink the fluids. Most of the chemicals are known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors or simply poisonous to life in general. ( visit TEDX [endocrinedisruption.com] for more information.
Frack Fluids themselves--the 'recycling' process involves trucking vast quantities of them from well site to well site. Each well requires around 5-10 million gallons of fluids, mostly water drawn from local streams, rivers, lakes, etc. somewhere between 0-90% of the fluids stay in the ground, but the rest is being 'recycled' by trucking it to other well sites..The chances of an accident are HUGE.
How about just the habitat destruction caused by the creation of each well pad? These are vast wooded areas--and mountainous terrain. Soil Erosion is a very real possibility. Plus, many of the creeks and streams are considered 'high quality' or 'pristine' resources--used by fly fishermen from all over to enjoy the outdoors and catch wild trout.
How about the very real noise pollution? Increased traffic on two-lane (and even one-lane) roads; with truckers who often do not care to provide right of way to locals traveling the same small roads who they meet head on.
How about the social ills caused by the fact that rental units in the area have skyrocketing prices? People are being made homeless because they don't earn the amount of money that the wells pay, but their greedy landlords are increasing rents 200% or more; forcing them out of their rental units?
The actual 'fracking' may or may not be the culprit---maybe it's the drilling process itself that releases toxins into the groundwater. The drilling process releases hundreds of elements--ranging from Radon to Barium and other radioactive material from underground where it has lay dormant for eons. The fluids themselves are poisonous--flaws in the cement casing around the drill holes can allow the fracking fluids to leach into the ground water. There is also no true 'guarantee' that the rock above the shale layer will hold the fluids (which are still under immense pressure) underground.
Then, let's talk about the 'Marcellus Shale Commission', who's responsibility it was to produce a report for the Corbett Administration on 'recommendations' for the industry. This 'neutral' body was made up of 13 members of the Oil and Gas industry (coincidentally these 13 companies provided 1.4 million dollars to Corbett's campaign, as well as being the companies with the most violations for Marcellus Drilling), several administration and/or staffers who were appointed directly (or indirectly) after Corbett was elected, some local government staff from affected areas, and four environmental or health groups, with only one (Chesapeake Bay Foundation) that you could truly call an Environmental group. No Public Health representation, btw..
While I would love to see a ban on Fracking (as has been done in other countries for various reasons), I'm sane enough to know the $$$ talks, everything else walks. We need safe practices, with sufficient oversight to ensure that accid
Until we have something close to that we're not going to have fairness or equity in the distribution of this essential utility.
I think you hit upon the crux of the matter with this very sentence. Internet access to the home is a utility just as water, sewer, electricity, natural gas and should be subject to the same regulatory agencies they are. But, they are not. There was a time (before the breakup of AT&T) that the 'Baby Bells' were also subject to the regulatory authorities and could not raise prices.
I don't disagree with Free Markets----but there is still a need for regulation.
to finish the thought:
Removing the Subsidies then (during the Clinton Administration) would not have damaged the economy to a dangerous level; and where would we have been today with regard to Alternative fuels?
Solar is propped up far less than the dirty fossil fuel industry. Oil and Natural Gas alone are set to reap more than $1.25 Billion from Texas alone this year in subsides and tax breaks. At the Federal level, they've reaped more than $50 Billion since 2002. In order to level the proverbial playing field, the subsidies to Solar and other alternative energy forms are necessary. But the Oil and Gas companies are reaping billions of dollars in profits and paying less tax than the average wage earner in terms of a percentage of income.
Without subsides, our $4 gallon gas would be more like what they pay in Europe--nearly double that and would cripple or kill the auto industry. Of course it may well spur development of better and more efficient (and more profitable) forms of Public Transportation, but most of that would take a decade or more to put in place. This, too, would kill our fragile economy. Had this all been done during the Clinton Administration, when we were seeing 5% Annual Growth, then removing the subsidies for Oil and Gas would
China still ranked near the top for committing Human Rights violations; and even though 'personal wealth' is increasing; the wages are still no where near what they should be for 'average' blue collar Chinese workers. Plus, the mine workers are mostly slaves---because they are mostly political prisoners; forced to endure working conditions that cause even early coal mining days in the US to pale by comparison. Oh yeah, China is a WONDERFUL country.
In the long term, even 3,500 books are more sustainable---and the inks these days are mostly soy-based; so the toxicity is reduced dramatically.
Sure, 1 kindle can hold 3,500 books---but how many people will upgrade that kindle every time the wind blows? so, we're not talking , we're talking one every 2-3 years, just like Cell/Smart Phones, laptops etc. And the batteries--they're highly toxic; from manufacturing, to use (how often do you have to plug in to recharge) to disposal.
And it is not just e-readers, but *all* of the electronic devices in use, the constant replacement cycle (btw--you are aware that one of the biggest rare-earth metals used---tanatalum--is dwindling in supply) and all of the related activity is causing serious and dramatic increases in the use of fossil fuels thereby driving up the amount of poisons in our air, water, and land. Plus, disposing of these things is typically (by AVERAGE users) a toss in the garbage----so they go in the landfill.
Long Term sustainability means humans need to start ditching these items of 'convenience' and go back to the basics for the most part. I read most of the books for pleasure from the Library. If they don't have it, I scour used bookstores first, then a new Bookstore last. This is a sustainable practice.
You're a rare one that can do your own car maintenance.
eBooks aren't a convenience-think about everything that goes into making one; the oil used in the plastics; the rare-earth minerals mined by slave labor in china an other countries and manufactured overseas at very low standard of living wages.
Now..a book-paper made from trees harvested from the paper mill forest (pine trees usually)..most likely in a US paper plant; where the wages are at least more fair than in China.
I'm willing to concede that that ecological effects of both cancel each other out (and in fact, paper *might* be more ecologically damaging) --but the human rights issues do not. I'll buy a book; not just for Nostalgia, but to keep people working at fair wages.
This is sad indeed for those of us who don't need to buy every electronic gadget that hits the market. Those of us who we spend 8-12 hours every day on our computers for work and to relax, we want to turn pages and actually READ a book. The joy is in the experience---not just in the reading of the printed word. But, the e-book generation doesn't understand that.
However, it's my generation's fault. We've raised you to do more, multitask (though scientists say there is no such thing), have instant lunch and instant oatmeal; fast food, etc. You hire a landscaper to put in plants for you, instead of digging in the dirt yourself. You don't hunt, fish, camp or canoe but you will take that $100,000 boat (that you can't fix) out and go tubing. You can't fix your own car---hell, most of you can't even change a tire. I've stopped along the highway and helped plenty of you (male and female) under thirty change a tire. You were going to call a tow truck..wasteful
In short--we've raised you to depend on everyone else...so no wonder you don't want to turn your own pages in a book.
Perfect analogy--The Doctor is still the same--minus the baggage of the stuffy old Time Lords; but still with his age-old nemeses still around. Although, they did overuse the Daleks and Cybermen a bit..
and this is exactly why I stopped reading/collecting comics long ago. Asimov didn't reboot his universe, he tied it all together rather brilliantly. Heinlein..well, he used a deus ex machina to tie his stories together with all the other pulp universes in existence; not as brilliant, but a good yarn nonetheless.
But," we've got sagging sales what do we do?" " I know....let's 'Reboot the Universe'".. bah..
By 'device', was referring to iPhone/iPad/Android/etc. In other words, I'm not 'internet connected 24x7. I have a laptop with wireless. BUT..I limit my online time--mostly dealing with political issues like Gas Fracking. Mostly I'd rather spend my time in pursuit of Outdoor Activities. I also have a TV-for news and a few shows that I mostly watch using On Demand. I spend all day connected to a VPN for work and use the internet there. When my day is done, I need downtime; away from glowing screens..
The Internet and video games are bringing the younger generations out of contact with each other. Interpersonal interaction is declining; conflicts are rising and conflict resolution skills are lacking--why do you think there has been an uptick since the Video Game and Internet Revolution in school violence? It's not 'violent video games' but a lack of social skills and an inability to deal with conflict at a personal level.
'All I need to know about Conflict Resolution I learned from Angry Birds'.
It's obvious these 'educators' have never read the timeless work 'Silicon Snake Oil' by Clifford Stoll. Due to my reading of this book years ago; I've learned to limit my online time; and frankly don't own an 'internet connected device'. My cell phone is a phone and while it has a camera; I never use it. I don't text, I don't IM (except at work) and because I don't do these things, I can see the results of living the 'connected' life in generations younger than I am. They are completely unable to conduct themselves properly--they're terse, unconsciously rude and have no clue how to handle live interpersonal interaction. 'Instant' connection leaves them believing that everything happens at light speed; ergo they lack patience.
My favorite quote from Silicon Snake Oil:
Log in - spend a week connected to the electronic world.... But remember, you’re viewing a world that doesn’t exist. During that week you spend on-line, you could have planted a tomato garden, volunteered at a hospital, spoken with your child’s teacher, and taught the kid down the block how to shag fly balls. Claim that you can do all of those things while having a rich on-line life? Nope. Every hour that you’re behind the keyboard is sixty minutes that you’re not doing something else.
I'll leave you with another quote from a favorite author, Robert A Heinlein. This quote is prophetic, I feel, because the Human Race is becoming like hive insects--each of us specialized at one task.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
Normal kids would find it gross? Only because they've been raised by a namby-pamby society that tells them it is.
I did odd jobs from the time I was 10--mowing grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow, helping people do their weeding, etc. I *earned* money so I could buy a rod and reel; my first gun and my first backpack and hiking shoes. 'Normal' kids would have the money if they got off of their lazy butts, out from behind the computer/WII/PS3/XBOX/TV and did some real work for a change, instead of mom and dad handing them money or having the electronic baby sitter.
I rode my bike across townn with my fishing gear every day; packed PB&J for lunch; and a canteen of water. When I wanted to go hiking, I biked out to the woods outside of town. Once I was old enough to hunting, I did that. When I grew up, we who were the outdoorsy types parked our trucks in the back row of high school so we could be the first out to hit the river/woods.
As to the 'infrastructure being financed by others; that's true for everything; even the roads you drive on in your big cities are financed by everyone.
Just where do these kids get outdoors living in a city? Where can they go fishing, or hiking or hunting--like normal kids should? I'd love to see a kid carrying a tackle box and rod/reel on a bus; or how about a bow and some arrows? In the city, you stay locked in your home and play HALO. Bah.. I was raised on a steady diet of 'Go outside and play'; something parents in the large cities can't/don't say. Of course, this goes on in suburbia too; mom and dad won't make the kids go out and play.
Regardless of what 'experts' say Nature Deficit Disorder is real; I encounter it all of the time. At the very least, our 'indoor' life is causing us to get fat and lazy. And living indoors is synonymous with living in the city.
And yes, I'm a geek--and I love to hunt, fish and go outdoors and play. I actually hate video games.
As an avid fresh and saltwater angler, I can say right now that the 'microchip' in the lure is a long line of 'gimmicks' that will catch no more fish than any other 'gimmick' like that, such as the 'Laser Lure'. Yes, Virginia, it has a laser diode in it that lights it up when underwater; and it's even touted by professional angler Mike Iaconelli.
Fish respond first and foremost to the environmental conditions that induce them to feed, followed by sight, scent and vibration. There are other factors as well, such as 'matching the hatch' (meaning that your lures better be very close in color, size and shape to the forage in the area), weather, and yes even the phase of the moon to a certain degree.
I don't know about the other items, although the memory module for the headstone doesn't seem to be a bad thing;
Amazon pays local property and school taxes (either directly or indirectly); their shipping entities pay fuel surcharges and taxes, as an employer they pay taxes. They're not 'freeloading' on local police/fire services; because it's the local taxes that pay for that. Same for the roads; the monies from fuel taxes and surcharges is what states use to pay for them. Sales tax is just more 'stuffing' of the General Fund where states find new and creative ways to spend it. Here in PA; Amazon has at least three warehouses in the mid-state (Carlisle, Lancaster, and just south of Harrisrburg); with planned employment increases of around 1,000 people through the holidays. If I'm not paying state sales tax for something I buy via Amazon, more the better. If all states saw their 'General Fund' revenues drop due to online shopping, then they should find new and creative ways (such as elimination of unnecessary staff, pensions, more telecommuting and less leasing of space for employees, providing apartments for lawmakers, instead of expensive hotel rooms, etc, etc.) to save money; rather than finding new ways to fund already bloated programs.
If you come to PA (as many from surrounding states do) and buy clothing; you pay no sales tax. If I drive to Delaware (as many from PA do) and buy anything, I pay no sales tax. What's the difference in buying a product from Amazon? If they have no legal requirement to collect the tax, I have no obligation to pay it.
Exactly, they are talking to companies who already use linux, and the conclusion is that they have had a positive enough experience of their existing linux use that they are considering increasing their use of linux. They're not hiding who they are and where their data comes from, unlike many of the supposedly "independent" surveys sponsored by microsoft which seem to come out every now and again.
My point is that it is exactly the same kind of biased reporting that we've always seen--Linux use is increasing---within companies that already use Linux. That's not Earth-shattering news; nor does it mean that 'Linux is gaining ground' on Microsoft, except within those companies who already have deployed Linux.
What about the companies who have never deployed any Linux servers? This question was never asked, so the survey is just as biased as the ones from Microsoft. The data is mostly irrelevant, except with regard to companies already running Linux. The article reads that something like only 41.2% of the companies are planning to add Windows Servers in the next year. What if 82.4% of companies not running Linux planned to add Windows Servers next year? Using the same logic as the article, that would mean that 'Windows is still beating Linux.' That would still be a biased statement.
There are lies, bloody lies, and statistics. All are identical.
Slashdot Mirror
Love the last comment about 'paying for media center whether or not you have an optical drive'...What system today doesn't come with one? This just made my mind up..when the time comes to replace my system..I will buy a Macbook...
I concur..Pen and Paper, then transcribe your notes to your computer--this way you've went over them twice..and organized them. This helps the memory process.
Energy In Depth is a shill front for the Oil and Gas industry. Do you really trust that information?
What about...
Natural Gas might burn cleaner, but the extraction is just as dirty; if not more so. Read the Cornell Study.
There are so many things wrong with this industry that it's hard to write a concise response; but I will try.
The actual 'fracking' may or may not be the culprit---maybe it's the drilling process itself that releases toxins into the groundwater. The drilling process releases hundreds of elements--ranging from Radon to Barium and other radioactive material from underground where it has lay dormant for eons. The fluids themselves are poisonous--flaws in the cement casing around the drill holes can allow the fracking fluids to leach into the ground water. There is also no true 'guarantee' that the rock above the shale layer will hold the fluids (which are still under immense pressure) underground.
Then, let's talk about the 'Marcellus Shale Commission', who's responsibility it was to produce a report for the Corbett Administration on 'recommendations' for the industry. This 'neutral' body was made up of 13 members of the Oil and Gas industry (coincidentally these 13 companies provided 1.4 million dollars to Corbett's campaign, as well as being the companies with the most violations for Marcellus Drilling), several administration and/or staffers who were appointed directly (or indirectly) after Corbett was elected, some local government staff from affected areas, and four environmental or health groups, with only one (Chesapeake Bay Foundation) that you could truly call an Environmental group. No Public Health representation, btw..
While I would love to see a ban on Fracking (as has been done in other countries for various reasons), I'm sane enough to know the $$$ talks, everything else walks. We need safe practices, with sufficient oversight to ensure that accid
Not for Cable TV/Internet, at least in PA. The PUC has no authority over Comcast.
Until we have something close to that we're not going to have fairness or equity in the distribution of this essential utility.
I think you hit upon the crux of the matter with this very sentence. Internet access to the home is a utility just as water, sewer, electricity, natural gas and should be subject to the same regulatory agencies they are. But, they are not. There was a time (before the breakup of AT&T) that the 'Baby Bells' were also subject to the regulatory authorities and could not raise prices.
I don't disagree with Free Markets----but there is still a need for regulation.
to finish the thought: Removing the Subsidies then (during the Clinton Administration) would not have damaged the economy to a dangerous level; and where would we have been today with regard to Alternative fuels?
Solar is propped up far less than the dirty fossil fuel industry. Oil and Natural Gas alone are set to reap more than $1.25 Billion from Texas alone this year in subsides and tax breaks. At the Federal level, they've reaped more than $50 Billion since 2002. In order to level the proverbial playing field, the subsidies to Solar and other alternative energy forms are necessary. But the Oil and Gas companies are reaping billions of dollars in profits and paying less tax than the average wage earner in terms of a percentage of income.
Without subsides, our $4 gallon gas would be more like what they pay in Europe--nearly double that and would cripple or kill the auto industry. Of course it may well spur development of better and more efficient (and more profitable) forms of Public Transportation, but most of that would take a decade or more to put in place. This, too, would kill our fragile economy. Had this all been done during the Clinton Administration, when we were seeing 5% Annual Growth, then removing the subsidies for Oil and Gas would
China still ranked near the top for committing Human Rights violations; and even though 'personal wealth' is increasing; the wages are still no where near what they should be for 'average' blue collar Chinese workers. Plus, the mine workers are mostly slaves---because they are mostly political prisoners; forced to endure working conditions that cause even early coal mining days in the US to pale by comparison. Oh yeah, China is a WONDERFUL country.
In the long term, even 3,500 books are more sustainable---and the inks these days are mostly soy-based; so the toxicity is reduced dramatically.
Sure, 1 kindle can hold 3,500 books---but how many people will upgrade that kindle every time the wind blows? so, we're not talking , we're talking one every 2-3 years, just like Cell/Smart Phones, laptops etc. And the batteries--they're highly toxic; from manufacturing, to use (how often do you have to plug in to recharge) to disposal.
And it is not just e-readers, but *all* of the electronic devices in use, the constant replacement cycle (btw--you are aware that one of the biggest rare-earth metals used---tanatalum--is dwindling in supply) and all of the related activity is causing serious and dramatic increases in the use of fossil fuels thereby driving up the amount of poisons in our air, water, and land. Plus, disposing of these things is typically (by AVERAGE users) a toss in the garbage----so they go in the landfill.
Long Term sustainability means humans need to start ditching these items of 'convenience' and go back to the basics for the most part. I read most of the books for pleasure from the Library. If they don't have it, I scour used bookstores first, then a new Bookstore last. This is a sustainable practice.
You're a rare one that can do your own car maintenance. eBooks aren't a convenience-think about everything that goes into making one; the oil used in the plastics; the rare-earth minerals mined by slave labor in china an other countries and manufactured overseas at very low standard of living wages. Now..a book-paper made from trees harvested from the paper mill forest (pine trees usually)..most likely in a US paper plant; where the wages are at least more fair than in China. I'm willing to concede that that ecological effects of both cancel each other out (and in fact, paper *might* be more ecologically damaging) --but the human rights issues do not. I'll buy a book; not just for Nostalgia, but to keep people working at fair wages.
This is sad indeed for those of us who don't need to buy every electronic gadget that hits the market. Those of us who we spend 8-12 hours every day on our computers for work and to relax, we want to turn pages and actually READ a book. The joy is in the experience---not just in the reading of the printed word. But, the e-book generation doesn't understand that.
However, it's my generation's fault. We've raised you to do more, multitask (though scientists say there is no such thing), have instant lunch and instant oatmeal; fast food, etc. You hire a landscaper to put in plants for you, instead of digging in the dirt yourself. You don't hunt, fish, camp or canoe but you will take that $100,000 boat (that you can't fix) out and go tubing. You can't fix your own car---hell, most of you can't even change a tire. I've stopped along the highway and helped plenty of you (male and female) under thirty change a tire. You were going to call a tow truck..wasteful
In short--we've raised you to depend on everyone else...so no wonder you don't want to turn your own pages in a book.
Perfect analogy--The Doctor is still the same--minus the baggage of the stuffy old Time Lords; but still with his age-old nemeses still around. Although, they did overuse the Daleks and Cybermen a bit..
and this is exactly why I stopped reading/collecting comics long ago. Asimov didn't reboot his universe, he tied it all together rather brilliantly. Heinlein..well, he used a deus ex machina to tie his stories together with all the other pulp universes in existence; not as brilliant, but a good yarn nonetheless.
But," we've got sagging sales what do we do?" " I know....let's 'Reboot the Universe'".. bah..
move along, nothing to see here..
eh, if they got too big, just go fishing with them..
By 'device', was referring to iPhone/iPad/Android/etc. In other words, I'm not 'internet connected 24x7. I have a laptop with wireless. BUT..I limit my online time--mostly dealing with political issues like Gas Fracking. Mostly I'd rather spend my time in pursuit of Outdoor Activities. I also have a TV-for news and a few shows that I mostly watch using On Demand. I spend all day connected to a VPN for work and use the internet there. When my day is done, I need downtime; away from glowing screens..
The Internet and video games are bringing the younger generations out of contact with each other. Interpersonal interaction is declining; conflicts are rising and conflict resolution skills are lacking--why do you think there has been an uptick since the Video Game and Internet Revolution in school violence? It's not 'violent video games' but a lack of social skills and an inability to deal with conflict at a personal level.
'All I need to know about Conflict Resolution I learned from Angry Birds'.
It's obvious these 'educators' have never read the timeless work 'Silicon Snake Oil' by Clifford Stoll. Due to my reading of this book years ago; I've learned to limit my online time; and frankly don't own an 'internet connected device'. My cell phone is a phone and while it has a camera; I never use it. I don't text, I don't IM (except at work) and because I don't do these things, I can see the results of living the 'connected' life in generations younger than I am. They are completely unable to conduct themselves properly--they're terse, unconsciously rude and have no clue how to handle live interpersonal interaction. 'Instant' connection leaves them believing that everything happens at light speed; ergo they lack patience.
My favorite quote from Silicon Snake Oil:
I'll leave you with another quote from a favorite author, Robert A Heinlein. This quote is prophetic, I feel, because the Human Race is becoming like hive insects--each of us specialized at one task.
Normal kids would find it gross? Only because they've been raised by a namby-pamby society that tells them it is.
I did odd jobs from the time I was 10--mowing grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow, helping people do their weeding, etc. I *earned* money so I could buy a rod and reel; my first gun and my first backpack and hiking shoes. 'Normal' kids would have the money if they got off of their lazy butts, out from behind the computer/WII/PS3/XBOX/TV and did some real work for a change, instead of mom and dad handing them money or having the electronic baby sitter.
I rode my bike across townn with my fishing gear every day; packed PB&J for lunch; and a canteen of water. When I wanted to go hiking, I biked out to the woods outside of town. Once I was old enough to hunting, I did that. When I grew up, we who were the outdoorsy types parked our trucks in the back row of high school so we could be the first out to hit the river/woods.
As to the 'infrastructure being financed by others; that's true for everything; even the roads you drive on in your big cities are financed by everyone.
Just where do these kids get outdoors living in a city? Where can they go fishing, or hiking or hunting--like normal kids should? I'd love to see a kid carrying a tackle box and rod/reel on a bus; or how about a bow and some arrows? In the city, you stay locked in your home and play HALO. Bah.. I was raised on a steady diet of 'Go outside and play'; something parents in the large cities can't/don't say. Of course, this goes on in suburbia too; mom and dad won't make the kids go out and play.
Regardless of what 'experts' say Nature Deficit Disorder is real; I encounter it all of the time. At the very least, our 'indoor' life is causing us to get fat and lazy. And living indoors is synonymous with living in the city.
And yes, I'm a geek--and I love to hunt, fish and go outdoors and play. I actually hate video games.
As an avid fresh and saltwater angler, I can say right now that the 'microchip' in the lure is a long line of 'gimmicks' that will catch no more fish than any other 'gimmick' like that, such as the 'Laser Lure'. Yes, Virginia, it has a laser diode in it that lights it up when underwater; and it's even touted by professional angler Mike Iaconelli .
Fish respond first and foremost to the environmental conditions that induce them to feed, followed by sight, scent and vibration. There are other factors as well, such as 'matching the hatch' (meaning that your lures better be very close in color, size and shape to the forage in the area), weather, and yes even the phase of the moon to a certain degree.
I don't know about the other items, although the memory module for the headstone doesn't seem to be a bad thing;
Why worry? Sweden wants him in regard to a sexual assault; let Interpol handle it. He'll turn up eventually.
Amazon pays local property and school taxes (either directly or indirectly); their shipping entities pay fuel surcharges and taxes, as an employer they pay taxes. They're not 'freeloading' on local police/fire services; because it's the local taxes that pay for that. Same for the roads; the monies from fuel taxes and surcharges is what states use to pay for them. Sales tax is just more 'stuffing' of the General Fund where states find new and creative ways to spend it. Here in PA; Amazon has at least three warehouses in the mid-state (Carlisle, Lancaster, and just south of Harrisrburg); with planned employment increases of around 1,000 people through the holidays. If I'm not paying state sales tax for something I buy via Amazon, more the better. If all states saw their 'General Fund' revenues drop due to online shopping, then they should find new and creative ways (such as elimination of unnecessary staff, pensions, more telecommuting and less leasing of space for employees, providing apartments for lawmakers, instead of expensive hotel rooms, etc, etc.) to save money; rather than finding new ways to fund already bloated programs. If you come to PA (as many from surrounding states do) and buy clothing; you pay no sales tax. If I drive to Delaware (as many from PA do) and buy anything, I pay no sales tax. What's the difference in buying a product from Amazon? If they have no legal requirement to collect the tax, I have no obligation to pay it.
The land wasn't so cheap, but probably cheaper than CA.
And Cheap NC Tech Labor..
Exactly, they are talking to companies who already use linux, and the conclusion is that they have had a positive enough experience of their existing linux use that they are considering increasing their use of linux. They're not hiding who they are and where their data comes from, unlike many of the supposedly "independent" surveys sponsored by microsoft which seem to come out every now and again.
My point is that it is exactly the same kind of biased reporting that we've always seen--Linux use is increasing---within companies that already use Linux. That's not Earth-shattering news; nor does it mean that 'Linux is gaining ground' on Microsoft, except within those companies who already have deployed Linux.
What about the companies who have never deployed any Linux servers? This question was never asked, so the survey is just as biased as the ones from Microsoft. The data is mostly irrelevant, except with regard to companies already running Linux. The article reads that something like only 41.2% of the companies are planning to add Windows Servers in the next year. What if 82.4% of companies not running Linux planned to add Windows Servers next year? Using the same logic as the article, that would mean that 'Windows is still beating Linux.' That would still be a biased statement.
There are lies, bloody lies, and statistics. All are identical.