I just bought an electronic thermostat for my house. It's the kind that you can program to set the temperature back at night and while you're away during the day to save energy.
The interesting part is this: it has an optional feature where you can specify a time and temperature, and it will "learn" over the course of several days when to start the furnace so that the temperature is achieved at that time.
Now, I have no idea how this feature is implemented, but it's a classic neural net sort of problem.
Absolutely. I'm surprised that I haven't seen anyone suggest a good ol'-fashioned boycott yet--but it's only a matter of time if this kind of crap keeps up.
Now, the only other question that concerns me: are we as a group (consumers) so enamored of our tech-toys that we're unwilling make the necessary sacrifices? Can you hold off buying the latest CD, a new VCR, whatever, until *after* Sony (and its peers) have gotten the message?
One definition of a classic is a book that rewards re-reading over a span of years. I've read CFL at least three times over 20 years and will read it again. What's refreshing to me is that it's still entertaining--not because of special effects or hype (Leibowitz action figures?) but because it's just Good Writing(tm).
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Why not just make stronger fibers?
The interesting part is this: it has an optional feature where you can specify a time and temperature, and it will "learn" over the course of several days when to start the furnace so that the temperature is achieved at that time.
Now, I have no idea how this feature is implemented, but it's a classic neural net sort of problem.
Absolutely. I'm surprised that I haven't seen anyone suggest a good ol'-fashioned boycott yet--but it's only a matter of time if this kind of crap keeps up. Now, the only other question that concerns me: are we as a group (consumers) so enamored of our tech-toys that we're unwilling make the necessary sacrifices? Can you hold off buying the latest CD, a new VCR, whatever, until *after* Sony (and its peers) have gotten the message?
One definition of a classic is a book that rewards re-reading over a span of years. I've read CFL at least three times over 20 years and will read it again. What's refreshing to me is that it's still entertaining--not because of special effects or hype (Leibowitz action figures?) but because it's just Good Writing(tm).
Chapeau.