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User: foobsr

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  1. He should patent his wording as well ... on US Scientist Creates Artificial Life · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "a very important philosophical step" — anybody else wondering how this guy defines 'ethics' ?

    CC.

  2. Re:Evolution would have gotten rid of it on Purpose of Appendix Believed Found · · Score: 1

    The human body has plenty of useless-but-neutral features--earlobes

    Subject to gravity, they give you (additional) information relating to posture/acceleration if you are not an insensitive clod.

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  3. Re:The article contradicts itself. on The Next Leap for Linux · · Score: 1

    Yes, it is sad, but I agree.

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  4. Re:Don't assume they'll be just be used for good on David Pogue Reviews the XO Laptop · · Score: 1

    whereas only good can come from giving starving people food

    Especially if it is GM crops.

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  5. Re:The article contradicts itself. on The Next Leap for Linux · · Score: 1

    On what basis?

    Perhaps a definition/clarification of what a distinguishing characteristic of a 'typical average user' is seems necessary. Maybe 'has never used a CLI' does it within this context (I know several of those across Windows/Mac who use the PC for their jobs). Thus no apt-get/emerge.

    But even the reasonably well-done Ubuntu-gui-way would pose (my guess) problems because of too much choice (not to speak of the need to tune 'preferences' and 'multiverse' being attached to 'legal issues'); remember all this in a world were, e.g., pictures are edited while residing on the camera's memory because this was recommended as 'easier' (a 'mom' following the recommendations of her 'computer literate' son aged below 20 who I otherwise do not rate stupid) — unbelievable? — there are also people who are not able to change a wheel of their car.

    Again, my main point is that it is a 'psychological issue'; once business-use of Linux is more widespread the consumer will mimic the behaviour.

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  6. Re:The article contradicts itself. on The Next Leap for Linux · · Score: 1

    I was probably unclear in that I was not writing about myself (Linux since SLS), but I still disagree that 'On any modern desktop Linux, software installation is no more complicated than "I want this program. Gimme."' (On a scale from gentoo to Ubuntu(easiest), and you may replace 'Linux' for any other OS, having the 'average' user in mind).

    However, I wanted to point out that the article does not do a good job in promoting Linux, building on the premise that the average reader looks for summary/conclusion/advice which he might find in the originally quoted fragment. Now if even the author with his preliminary exposure still communicates this bias ...

    A conclusion (hard to convey to people rooted in the vicinity of engineering since well before computers came to birth, and still) might be that it is more about an 'image' rather than reality (might be marketing 101 or how you name it).

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  7. Impact of the article ... on The Next Leap for Linux · · Score: 3, Interesting

    From TFA: "Linux is best for technically savvy users or for people whose needs are so basic that they will never need anything other than the bundled software"

    Which basically translates to not for me for the average person, being neither a geek nor wanting to have the self-image of being 'basic'.

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  8. Re:but what *hardware* ? on Trans-Atlantic Robots · · Score: 1

    labview

    Was thinking of this as well. Good infornation here.

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  9. Re:Solution to Privacy Concerns on D.C. Commuters to be Scanned With Infrared Cameras · · Score: 1

    Then check yourself into a mental hospital for depression.

    "From 1990--1992 to 2002--2004, the rate of hospitalization for depression increased approximately 81% for females aged 5--19 years, to 27.8 per 100,000 population. The rate for young females was nearly twice that for young males during 2002--2004."
    as per National Hospital Discharge Survey annual data files for 1990, 1991, 1992, 2002, 2003, and 2004 (found here)

    Well, seems that people exist who have intuition.

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  10. How clever research proposals are rewarded ... on New Sensor Finds Leaks in Spacecraft · · Score: 1

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program

    PROPOSAL NUMBER: 06 T5.02-9832

    Have a try :)

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  11. Stuff that matters ... on Indiana Jones Gets Robbed · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Well, duh !

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  12. Re:Vice of Google thinks differently ... on Web Creators Call Internet Outdated · · Score: 1

    TFA: "We can no longer rely on last-generation technology, which has essentially remained unchanged for 40 years, to power Internet performance," says Mr. Roberts, who is 69 years old. Last month, his start-up, Anagran Inc., introduced a piece of gear called the flow router that he says can help modernize the Internet."

    TFA: "Len Bosack, ... Last month, his company, XKL LLC, unveiled a system that allows businesses ..."

    That advances in technology improve/replace current/old design would not be news, would it?

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  13. Vice of Google thinks differently ... on Web Creators Call Internet Outdated · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Quote: "However, unlike many, Cerf doesn't think the bandwidth issues, frequently stated as a potential stumbling block for video over the web, will be a problem. Cerf thinks that a combination of faster connections, improved network technology and not "streaming" content will alleviate any issues."

    Seems like he is not engaged in a (recent) startup.

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  14. Finally ... on Technology Could Enable Computers To "Read The Minds" Of Users · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... the tinfoil hat will become useful.

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  15. Re:Contratulations!! You're number 3225 on LA Airport Uses Random Numbers To Catch Terrorists · · Score: 1

    Anyone with a towel will be arrested at gunpoint by default; we all can imagine how deadly a weapon a wet towel can be in hand-to-hand-combat.

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  16. Re:More than one physical location on Coppola Loses All His Data · · Score: 1

    People like Coppola should be getting advice

    Likely a person who knows everything better, can handle everything better and heavily engages in micromanagement — just my bias.

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  17. Re:MS Tax? on Falling Hardware Prices Favor Linux · · Score: 1

    So I am a custommer

    Some evidence here that blue screens somehow mutilate language (commonly a product of thought).

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  18. Re:Go for it on IBM Seeks US Patents For Offshoring US Jobs · · Score: 1

    could the "usage of wheels to help aeroplanes take off" ever be granted a patent?

    I bet, given that a wheel topologically is not very far from a sling, for which you for instance may find (among a plethora of other innovations) ...:
    "Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified breast support. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a sling-type breast support. It is another particular object of the present invention to provide an improved sling-type breast support, which may be incorporated in an article of clothing. It is still another particular object of the present invention to provide an improved breast support, which provides women with enhanced support to their breasts, while reducing the discomfort occurring when wearing a bra. It is still yet another particular object of the present invention to provide an improved breast support of a sling-type, which is a single piece and supports a woman's breast from the lower portion thereof. And, it is a still further particular object of the present invention to provide a sling-type breast support which is incorporated in a garment so as to provide a wearer with a freer braless-type of appearance, while providing adequate support to the breasts of the wearer to prevent sagging."
    http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6113460-description.html , US Patent Issued on September 5, 2000

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  19. Re:Well, there is some merit to this on 1-Click Rejection Rejected · · Score: 1

    Complexity and difficulty are correlated in the informal sense

    That is where I would say: 'there is some empirical evidence that ... but ...' (I am a psychologist)

    You missed using the word `paradigm'... Hmm, as a German I should have come up with 'Weltanschauung' :)

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  20. Re:Well, there is some merit to this on 1-Click Rejection Rejected · · Score: 1

    "There is an issue of terminological accuracy here that needs clarification. The terms orthogonal and uncorrelated (or nonorthogonal and correlated) are used as if they were interchangeable. While this is true if the variables or vectors involved are centered (have mean 0), it is not true in the general case. Formally, two vectors are orthogonal if their scalar product (or inner product) is 0. They are uncorrelated if the scalar product of their centered (mean corrected) forms is 0. All four logical possibilities of these two designations are possible. That is, two vectors can be both orthogonal and uncorrelated, orthogonal but correlated, nonorthogonal but uncorrelated, or nonorthogonal and correlated. Only if the variables or vectors with which one is dealing are by definition mean corrected or centered are the two terms interchangeable. For this reason, the way the terms have been used in this article is at best sloppy and technically simply incorrect." ( http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/spss/library/ssnoadd.htm )

    http://users.rcn.com/rathbone/lw70-75c.htm , as an aid to understand the intrinsics of language.

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  21. Re:Me! on Know How To Use a Slide Rule? · · Score: 1

    :) ... however, being made of (this one) plastic, it was useful to study the possible trajectories of paper bullets. It obviously survived (I still have it).

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  22. Re:Pheh, youngsters. on Know How To Use a Slide Rule? · · Score: 1

    Kudos!

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  23. Me! on Know How To Use a Slide Rule? · · Score: 1

    When I started with what they call 'Gymnasium' over here, even pocket calculators were not at hand and the system/360 was not yet introduced ;)

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  24. Re:Well, there is some merit to this on 1-Click Rejection Rejected · · Score: 1

    Complexity and difficulty are orthogonal concepts.

    Uncorrelated.

    because it's truth is apparent at once if one knows the meanings of the terms involved, ... glorious triviality ...

    Which only emphasizes that each and every concept's classification into any scheme of categories is dependent on the chosen/acquired/experienced frame of reference. And as 'yoga' is mentioned, it gets tough indeed when it comes to phenomena which, though (maybe) observable on an individual basis, are not easily (if at all) to be communicated. It starts with the seemingly neither difficult, complicated nor complex concept of, say, the colour 'blue'.

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  25. Re:Fujitsu on Replacing a Thinkpad? · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I really hope these Burmese Generals end up in front of a firing squad.

    Where do you want those to end up who pay (US taxpayers) contract killers murdering at random (aka 'Blackwater')?

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