There has been a flight simulator of similar design in the US for quite some time. It is currently shut down, but was operational up until (I think ) 2001. It was capable of producing many G's of force. My father knows more of the details than I as he was in charge of its operations for over 10 years. One of the lead developers of the Swedish project worked for him (or should I say the Navy) and is an outstanding engineer who has surely advanced the design since NADC (Naval Air Development Center, later renamed Naval Air Warfare Center) in Warminster, PA closed.
We have a photo of the earth downstairs that was signed by a group of the shuttle astronauts that took a ride in this simulator. I personally had the chance to sit in it once, but unfortunately arrived too late in the day to take a spin. (One that certainly wouldn't have pushed any G's.
I believe the NADC ride still holds the record for highest recorded G's by a human when they used a device they termed the "Iron Maiden" stuck on the end of the centrifuge arm. It was like a steel cast of a seated man with a deep sea diver's viewplate window. The man would sit inside it and it was filled with water. He would hold his breath while being spun (if memory serves). The water would allow the force to be distributed evenly. Biggest problem for pilots and high G's is the blood flowing to one's feet, away from the brain, and causing the pilot to pass out.
I'm not the expert on NADC, but if someone is making claims about the breakthroughs their centrifuge based flight simulator is doing, research NADC first. Again, I may have slightly misstated some information here, but the gist is correct. A pivoting gondola which would spin to realign the forces to simulate directional travel. They were doing this over 10 years ago. Here is a link to an NADC/NAWC site with a shot or 2 of the flight simulator, although mostly of people who worked there.
http://www.resuba.com/wa3dsp/k3nal/nawchistory.htm l
OK, I know this a little off since most of this is about ReKall, but Scribus was mentioned as a "killer" app. Well, PageStream is (or soon will be) available for Linux and it is MUCH more of a DTP solution than Scribus is with a rather long history. I have no connection to the company aside from having owned several releases of the program back when it started out on the Atari ST, but it is a very powerful and professional DTP package at a VERY reasonable price. It would be GREAT to see some slashdot attention sent their way (in a good way, hopefully not crashing their server). Here is the site address for anyone interested:
http://www.grasshopperllc.com/
This truly is a very powerful piece of DTP software far exceeding the current incarnation of Scribus.
I like the idea of hybrids and LOVE the idea of substantially greater gas mileage. I drive a BMW 318ti (on the bottom end of the BMW line and no longer sold in the US) with a manual transmission. I average better than 30mpg. The car handles better than anything I have driven previously and feels solid. (Econo boxes rarely feel solid to me.) I think the lowest I can get gas for my car right now is about $1.69/gallon.
My friend drives a used Mercedes, I think 300, turbo diesel from... maybe 1988? This is a big HEAVY car. (Diesels are heavier than gas engines.) He gets better than 25mpg and this car is NO slouch on the highway. He buys diesel for as low as $1.39/gallon.
Questions:
VW makes the Golf and Jetta with a turbo diesel that is said to be very good. What kind of performance are those owners seeing, both in mpg and in overall get up and go of the vehicle? (I hate having to put my foot out and push to get to a decent merging speed.)
Mercedes brings the big vehicles into the US offering a diesel, but not the smaller ones. According to my friend, they even have a turbo diesel of the their "low-end" (about $5k or more than I paid for my BMW) hatchback available in europe, why not the US as well? I would be VERY interested in such a car. I like a smaller car and great mileage, but I HATE the cheap tin can feel of most of the econo cars. I don't need a BIG sedan, but I do want a solid construction and feel to my car.
Since there are those folks reading this from in europe that might have that Mercedes hatchback, what sort of mileage are you seeing (realizing I'll probably need some kilometer to mileage conversion)? I'm guessing the ride, feel and acceleration are acceptable.
Finally, why aren't there any diesel/electric hybrids? Seems like the best of both worlds, although there may be technical issues I am unaware of such as the additional diesel weight that make it impractical.
Thanks, I'm looking forward to hearing the responses.
IMO, the problem is not whether SCO will win or lose (I don't expect them to win, I expect them to drop the case before it goes to trial) but how much continued bad press they can produce for Linux that equals good marketing for Windows Server 2003.
I feel certain that M$ is funding this whole thing. It doesn't matter how ridiculous it is, it still comes out as bad press for Linux in the majority of the media coverage, building a level of uncertainty about the use of Linux in a business environment.
This means dollars (perhaps billions) for M$, which started pushing Windows Server 2003 just after "buying" a license from SCO and before SCO launched its assault on IBM and Linux. This is a massive FUD marketing assault by M$. SCO is the Trojan horse.
I know this sounds like conspiracy theory, and it is until the money or e-mail or memo trail is found, but it makes the most sense. M$ has easily gained the most from this. SCO certainly is not any stronger and they were a sinking ship when this started. IBM, as stong as they are, now has the cloud of an invalid AIX license hanging over their heads and a $3 billion lawsuit. HP sounds like they are playing up Unix and starting to downplay Linux (personal opinion based on last report saying HP was safe from lawsuit) and, YES, organizations that were considering Linux have chosen other options, most likely M$.
I sincerely hope someone finds the smoking gun Bill G. is holding on this topic so we can look straight into the face of the real culprit.
This is a copy of a post I made previously in another SCO related topic. I think it is relevant to any SCO related discussion to include possible impacts on M$ and any advantage M$ might see from a SCO action. This is my opinion, but I don't think we would be seeing any of this had M$ not been ready to ship Windows Server 2003, to which they consider Linux to be a serious threat/competitor. I'd be interested to hear opinions.
===== Previous Post Below ======
First, I'll start by saying that this is my personal opinion. I only wish I had facts to back it up, although I suspect they exist.
We, the Linux community, are spending a great deal of time attacking SCO for their actions, but I personally don't think they are the source of the problem. (Not to say they don't deserve all they get for being willing pawns.) I really think this whol thing is orchestrated by (drum roll please) Microsoft.
Sure, they are a favorite target and everyone in the Linux community loves to take a shot at them, but lets look at what we know.
1) Microsoft is a master of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) as a marketing approach to fight competition.
2) Just before (or maybe just after, I don't recall the exact timing) SCO started their assault, Microsoft signed an agreement with SCO for Unix technology (considered by many as something of little use to them).
3) Shortly after the assault by SCO began, Microsoft releases Windows Server 2003 with a large and still on-going campaign.
Every day that the SCO circus continues is another day of Microsoft spreading FUD about the competition. It has already been suggested (I think by SCO) that it could be well into 2005 before the case even reaches court. That's got to be worth a lot to Microsoft in marketing Server 2003. By getting SCO, a dying company by most accounts, to throw itself of the sword for a price, Microsoft apears to have its hands clean. (Similar to the way organized crime works, huh?)
I suspect there is a money trail or, even though they should know better by now, an e-mail or memo trail.
For the purposes of Microsoft, it doesn't matter how much of a circus SCO turns this into or if they even make it to court. I would suspect it never goes to court and SCO backs down. That way SCO execs walk away with their pockets full of M$ and Microsoft gets the marketing they wanted.
First, I'll start by saying that this is my personal opinion. I only wish I had facts to back it up, although I suspect they exist.
We, the Linux community, are spending a great deal of time attacking SCO for their actions, but I personally don't think they are the source of the problem. (Not to say they don't deserve all they get for being willing pawns.) I really think this whol thing is orchestrated by (drum roll please) Microsoft.
Sure, they are a favorite target and everyone in the Linux community loves to take a shot at them, but lets look at what we know.
1) Microsoft is a master of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) as a marketing approach to fight competition.
2) Just before (or maybe just after, I don't recall the exact timing) SCO started their assault, Microsoft signed an agreement with SCO for Unix technology (considered by many as something of little use to them).
3) Shortly after the assault by SCO began, Microsoft releases Windows Server 2003 with a large and still on-going campaign.
Every day that the SCO circus continues is another day of Microsoft spreading FUD about the competition. It has already been suggested (I think by SCO) that it could be well into 2005 before the case even reaches court. That's got to be worth a lot to Microsoft in marketing Server 2003. By getting SCO, a dying company by most accounts, to throw itself of the sword for a price, Microsoft apears to have its hands clean. (Similar to the way organized crime works, huh?)
I suspect there is a money trail or, even though they should know better by now, an e-mail or memo trail.
For the purposes of Microsoft, it doesn't matter how much of a circus SCO turns this into or if they even make it to court. I would suspect it never goes to court and SCO backs down. That way SCO execs walk away with their pockets full of M$ and Microsoft gets the marketing they wanted.
Slashdot Mirror
We have a photo of the earth downstairs that was signed by a group of the shuttle astronauts that took a ride in this simulator. I personally had the chance to sit in it once, but unfortunately arrived too late in the day to take a spin. (One that certainly wouldn't have pushed any G's.
I believe the NADC ride still holds the record for highest recorded G's by a human when they used a device they termed the "Iron Maiden" stuck on the end of the centrifuge arm. It was like a steel cast of a seated man with a deep sea diver's viewplate window. The man would sit inside it and it was filled with water. He would hold his breath while being spun (if memory serves). The water would allow the force to be distributed evenly. Biggest problem for pilots and high G's is the blood flowing to one's feet, away from the brain, and causing the pilot to pass out.
I'm not the expert on NADC, but if someone is making claims about the breakthroughs their centrifuge based flight simulator is doing, research NADC first. Again, I may have slightly misstated some information here, but the gist is correct. A pivoting gondola which would spin to realign the forces to simulate directional travel. They were doing this over 10 years ago. Here is a link to an NADC/NAWC site with a shot or 2 of the flight simulator, although mostly of people who worked there.
http://www.resuba.com/wa3dsp/k3nal/nawchistory.htm l
http://www.grasshopperllc.com/
This truly is a very powerful piece of DTP software far exceeding the current incarnation of Scribus.
My friend drives a used Mercedes, I think 300, turbo diesel from ... maybe 1988? This is a big HEAVY car. (Diesels are heavier than gas engines.) He gets better than 25mpg and this car is NO slouch on the highway. He buys diesel for as low as $1.39/gallon.
Questions:
VW makes the Golf and Jetta with a turbo diesel that is said to be very good. What kind of performance are those owners seeing, both in mpg and in overall get up and go of the vehicle? (I hate having to put my foot out and push to get to a decent merging speed.)
Mercedes brings the big vehicles into the US offering a diesel, but not the smaller ones. According to my friend, they even have a turbo diesel of the their "low-end" (about $5k or more than I paid for my BMW) hatchback available in europe, why not the US as well? I would be VERY interested in such a car. I like a smaller car and great mileage, but I HATE the cheap tin can feel of most of the econo cars. I don't need a BIG sedan, but I do want a solid construction and feel to my car.
Since there are those folks reading this from in europe that might have that Mercedes hatchback, what sort of mileage are you seeing (realizing I'll probably need some kilometer to mileage conversion)? I'm guessing the ride, feel and acceleration are acceptable.
Finally, why aren't there any diesel/electric hybrids? Seems like the best of both worlds, although there may be technical issues I am unaware of such as the additional diesel weight that make it impractical.
Thanks, I'm looking forward to hearing the responses.
I feel certain that M$ is funding this whole thing. It doesn't matter how ridiculous it is, it still comes out as bad press for Linux in the majority of the media coverage, building a level of uncertainty about the use of Linux in a business environment.
This means dollars (perhaps billions) for M$, which started pushing Windows Server 2003 just after "buying" a license from SCO and before SCO launched its assault on IBM and Linux. This is a massive FUD marketing assault by M$. SCO is the Trojan horse.
I know this sounds like conspiracy theory, and it is until the money or e-mail or memo trail is found, but it makes the most sense. M$ has easily gained the most from this. SCO certainly is not any stronger and they were a sinking ship when this started. IBM, as stong as they are, now has the cloud of an invalid AIX license hanging over their heads and a $3 billion lawsuit. HP sounds like they are playing up Unix and starting to downplay Linux (personal opinion based on last report saying HP was safe from lawsuit) and, YES, organizations that were considering Linux have chosen other options, most likely M$.
I sincerely hope someone finds the smoking gun Bill G. is holding on this topic so we can look straight into the face of the real culprit.
-PersonalOpinion
===== Previous Post Below ======
First, I'll start by saying that this is my personal opinion. I only wish I had facts to back it up, although I suspect they exist.
We, the Linux community, are spending a great deal of time attacking SCO for their actions, but I personally don't think they are the source of the problem. (Not to say they don't deserve all they get for being willing pawns.) I really think this whol thing is orchestrated by (drum roll please) Microsoft.
Sure, they are a favorite target and everyone in the Linux community loves to take a shot at them, but lets look at what we know.
1) Microsoft is a master of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) as a marketing approach to fight competition.
2) Just before (or maybe just after, I don't recall the exact timing) SCO started their assault, Microsoft signed an agreement with SCO for Unix technology (considered by many as something of little use to them).
3) Shortly after the assault by SCO began, Microsoft releases Windows Server 2003 with a large and still on-going campaign.
Every day that the SCO circus continues is another day of Microsoft spreading FUD about the competition. It has already been suggested (I think by SCO) that it could be well into 2005 before the case even reaches court. That's got to be worth a lot to Microsoft in marketing Server 2003. By getting SCO, a dying company by most accounts, to throw itself of the sword for a price, Microsoft apears to have its hands clean. (Similar to the way organized crime works, huh?)
I suspect there is a money trail or, even though they should know better by now, an e-mail or memo trail.
For the purposes of Microsoft, it doesn't matter how much of a circus SCO turns this into or if they even make it to court. I would suspect it never goes to court and SCO backs down. That way SCO execs walk away with their pockets full of M$ and Microsoft gets the marketing they wanted.
Again, PersonalOpinion
We, the Linux community, are spending a great deal of time attacking SCO for their actions, but I personally don't think they are the source of the problem. (Not to say they don't deserve all they get for being willing pawns.) I really think this whol thing is orchestrated by (drum roll please) Microsoft.
Sure, they are a favorite target and everyone in the Linux community loves to take a shot at them, but lets look at what we know.
1) Microsoft is a master of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) as a marketing approach to fight competition.
2) Just before (or maybe just after, I don't recall the exact timing) SCO started their assault, Microsoft signed an agreement with SCO for Unix technology (considered by many as something of little use to them).
3) Shortly after the assault by SCO began, Microsoft releases Windows Server 2003 with a large and still on-going campaign.
Every day that the SCO circus continues is another day of Microsoft spreading FUD about the competition. It has already been suggested (I think by SCO) that it could be well into 2005 before the case even reaches court. That's got to be worth a lot to Microsoft in marketing Server 2003. By getting SCO, a dying company by most accounts, to throw itself of the sword for a price, Microsoft apears to have its hands clean. (Similar to the way organized crime works, huh?)
I suspect there is a money trail or, even though they should know better by now, an e-mail or memo trail.
For the purposes of Microsoft, it doesn't matter how much of a circus SCO turns this into or if they even make it to court. I would suspect it never goes to court and SCO backs down. That way SCO execs walk away with their pockets full of M$ and Microsoft gets the marketing they wanted.
Again, PersonalOpinion