Very unlikely. Given that even the serious Republican-leaning press (and right-leaning punditry worldwide) was mocking Romney midway through the campaign quite savagely, it is hard to see it this way. It reeks more of desperation and total disorganization than intent.
Well, it is, for one thing, providing a very interesting glimpse into the mindset of the people who ran Romney's campaign. I also recall them talking about their transition team in early July. Add to that the famous unprepared Romney speech, and you get quite a diagnosis.
I personally have a hard time believing they were so detached from reality all the way through the campaign that they'd focus on inessential tasks like selecting a transition team early and preparing this mockup rather than focussing on the platform and their campaign.
It is really telling how close to lunacy the Republican party leadership is.
Which is sad, really, as weak competition in politics only further lowers the quality of politicians. Adverse selection in action, so to speak.
It is anti-customer. Since most of us have diverging usage patterns, it is very hard to argue that there is one app that fits all bills, especially on a piece of hardware that goes around with you, as you can potentially find new usage patterns every hour. Usually a set of two or three apps is a better match, and sometimes even that isn't enough.
Putting brakes on the choice of apps, and the ability of user to mix and match for best results just because you can't check up if all of the apps fit your business model strikes me as pretty condescending.
well, it is an app market. if you cut off competition just because your product isn't good enough, it smacks of childish spite, mostly. although most of what transpires between apple and the rest of the world recently has been more than a little stupid.
How so? They started suing people around only after the said people made competitive products that sold well. IIRC, the first Apple suit about the iPhone came in 2010, against HTC. At that time, the iPhone and the iPad were already quite successful and making quite a lot of money.
I am not speculating about the importance of rounded corners relative to the functionality of the phone, I am merely making the point about the importance of the looks to the saleability of the product. What the legal world is thinking about patentaibility of rounded corners now is completely irrelevant. Apple did not make the cash pile they are sitting on because of the patents.
Some might argue that the most important feature of the phone from the perspective of the marker is how well it sells. And when it comes to that, the rounded corners and the way the interface looks and behaves may be much more important than the actual tech that is working inside. People base a lot of purchasing decision on recommendations and advertising, not on reading the full specs.
Oh, this is a hard and long argument, but i think you're a bit too hard on the USA. Nominally you are correct, it is a free election, so it is all the fault of the electorate, ultimately.
But look closer, and it is not so easy anymore. For example, too few bother to vote. The politicians could easily fix this, by moving election day on a long weekend and making it mandatory, yet they don't.
Also, elections are supposed to be a market for laws, where everyone has the same capital, one vote. But we both know it isn't quite so. A lot can be done about that, from regulating campaign financing to issues like voter suppression, gerrymandering, certain aspects of lobbying.
And these don't even scratch the list if the fundamental issues like is it at all possible to run a democracy and an economy together optimally, what can be done to avoid effects of economic inequality and the rent-seeking behaviors it causes that subvert the democratic process, the role of the media and advertising, especially long-term and so on.
But these go beyond what I was saying. In my comment, I meant simply that both Obama and Romney are far from the best of what is available in the system as it is now.
Unlike a bicycle, you'll need a parking spot for this in Japan. Also, I am not quite sure what kind of treatment you will get in terms of license requirements from the government. I'm afraid this thing will be treated more like a scooter than like a bicycle on the account of speed and size. As for "doesn't mind rain", well, my tricycle disagrees, it does mind rain a bit. You can't get in and out the same way you do form a car.
So, yeah, for a niche market it probably makes sense, but for most people that need transportation and not a toy it doesn't look like a good choice.
But maybe we'll see some interesting development as the genre matures.
This would only be close to true if you limit your car usage to match what you use the "velomobile" (whatever that is) for.
I have an two-seat enclosed recumbent bicycle, which ought to be pretty close to a "velomobile". The bike is a good replacement for a short leisure trip, but not for much else. Shopping, especially weekly shopping, longer trips, trips with more than one person and a half, trips in bad weather, etc. are all much easier and much more pleasant in the car.
So, forgive me, but I feel you're stretching it quite a bit.
What they look like is not a problem, what is the problem is they cost as much as a k-car (sub 600cc) in Japan. And a k-car nowadays is exactly like a real car if you obey the traffic rules. So I can't really see a reason on buy one of these.
What useful arts and sciences does it promote? And then, why isn't the penalty declared unconstitutional, it is obvious the penalty exceeds the harm done many times over.
Slashdot Mirror
Yeah, it was math vs. gut feeling this time too, and math won again.
Very unlikely. Given that even the serious Republican-leaning press (and right-leaning punditry worldwide) was mocking Romney midway through the campaign quite savagely, it is hard to see it this way. It reeks more of desperation and total disorganization than intent.
Well, it is, for one thing, providing a very interesting glimpse into the mindset of the people who ran Romney's campaign. I also recall them talking about their transition team in early July. Add to that the famous unprepared Romney speech, and you get quite a diagnosis.
I personally have a hard time believing they were so detached from reality all the way through the campaign that they'd focus on inessential tasks like selecting a transition team early and preparing this mockup rather than focussing on the platform and their campaign.
It is really telling how close to lunacy the Republican party leadership is.
Which is sad, really, as weak competition in politics only further lowers the quality of politicians. Adverse selection in action, so to speak.
It is anti-customer. Since most of us have diverging usage patterns, it is very hard to argue that there is one app that fits all bills, especially on a piece of hardware that goes around with you, as you can potentially find new usage patterns every hour. Usually a set of two or three apps is a better match, and sometimes even that isn't enough.
Putting brakes on the choice of apps, and the ability of user to mix and match for best results just because you can't check up if all of the apps fit your business model strikes me as pretty condescending.
well, it is an app market. if you cut off competition just because your product isn't good enough, it smacks of childish spite, mostly. although most of what transpires between apple and the rest of the world recently has been more than a little stupid.
Probably, but a device that is called a "mobile phone" is assumed to have one.
Really? And how do you connect on the go? Carry a data dongle?
Ask the GP, he seems to think so.
Does the iPod touch work as a phone?
How so? They started suing people around only after the said people made competitive products that sold well. IIRC, the first Apple suit about the iPhone came in 2010, against HTC. At that time, the iPhone and the iPad were already quite successful and making quite a lot of money.
Very smart.
I am not speculating about the importance of rounded corners relative to the functionality of the phone, I am merely making the point about the importance of the looks to the saleability of the product. What the legal world is thinking about patentaibility of rounded corners now is completely irrelevant. Apple did not make the cash pile they are sitting on because of the patents.
Some might argue that the most important feature of the phone from the perspective of the marker is how well it sells. And when it comes to that, the rounded corners and the way the interface looks and behaves may be much more important than the actual tech that is working inside. People base a lot of purchasing decision on recommendations and advertising, not on reading the full specs.
Oh, this is a hard and long argument, but i think you're a bit too hard on the USA. Nominally you are correct, it is a free election, so it is all the fault of the electorate, ultimately.
But look closer, and it is not so easy anymore. For example, too few bother to vote. The politicians could easily fix this, by moving election day on a long weekend and making it mandatory, yet they don't.
Also, elections are supposed to be a market for laws, where everyone has the same capital, one vote. But we both know it isn't quite so. A lot can be done about that, from regulating campaign financing to issues like voter suppression, gerrymandering, certain aspects of lobbying.
And these don't even scratch the list if the fundamental issues like is it at all possible to run a democracy and an economy together optimally, what can be done to avoid effects of economic inequality and the rent-seeking behaviors it causes that subvert the democratic process, the role of the media and advertising, especially long-term and so on.
But these go beyond what I was saying. In my comment, I meant simply that both Obama and Romney are far from the best of what is available in the system as it is now.
we get the devil we know. Romney's stance on anything is shifting way too rapidly. but i think the US deserved better than what is on offer.
And you'd be exactly right. I added the two-seater part afterwards, and did not proof-read. I blame the small phone screen :)
How will "RFTA" help me to figure out what Rosco Coltrane has?
Unlike a bicycle, you'll need a parking spot for this in Japan. Also, I am not quite sure what kind of treatment you will get in terms of license requirements from the government. I'm afraid this thing will be treated more like a scooter than like a bicycle on the account of speed and size. As for "doesn't mind rain", well, my tricycle disagrees, it does mind rain a bit. You can't get in and out the same way you do form a car.
So, yeah, for a niche market it probably makes sense, but for most people that need transportation and not a toy it doesn't look like a good choice.
But maybe we'll see some interesting development as the genre matures.
Except a velomobile seems like a very poor substitute for a kei.
This would only be close to true if you limit your car usage to match what you use the "velomobile" (whatever that is) for.
I have an two-seat enclosed recumbent bicycle, which ought to be pretty close to a "velomobile". The bike is a good replacement for a short leisure trip, but not for much else. Shopping, especially weekly shopping, longer trips, trips with more than one person and a half, trips in bad weather, etc. are all much easier and much more pleasant in the car.
So, forgive me, but I feel you're stretching it quite a bit.
What they look like is not a problem, what is the problem is they cost as much as a k-car (sub 600cc) in Japan. And a k-car nowadays is exactly like a real car if you obey the traffic rules. So I can't really see a reason on buy one of these.
That would be relevant if we were discussing what is an art, which I don't.
What useful arts and sciences does it promote? And then, why isn't the penalty declared unconstitutional, it is obvious the penalty exceeds the harm done many times over.
Applied where?
Are you serious? On the Internet, obviously.
You may laugh, but I already applied. Try to beat the photo on my resume. http://www.chaosscenario.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/06/27/internet.jpg