It seems to me that these days a mere computer virus is a thing of the past. Nowdays malware seems dominated by worms, trojans and other software with more sophisticated propagation techniques.
Is the old floppy-to-floppy style of virus nearing extinction, or will poisoned bittorrent files breathe new life into this kind of chicanery?
Even as a modern EE/robotics guy I use some of those parts today (555 timers in particular). I can't imagine the pain you'd have to go to to do some of the things they were used for in their heyday with discrete transistors and passive components.
Do you really expect that if you don't stop your neighbor beating his wife he'll come after you next?
It seems absurd to believe that people killing each other in a domestic conflict in one country are suddenly going to turn around and attack another country on the other side of the planet for no reason. And before people whine about the WTC attacks, ask yourself why people go so pissed off at you that they decided to kill your fellow countrymen (Hint: it's not your freedom they take umbrage with).
If a powerful nation with a history of military and political adventurism (I'm sure you can name a few) started amassing forces, then perhaps preemptive military 'intervention' is called for. A tin-pot nation that's so caught up killing its own people is hardly going to be a credible threat to anyone but themselves anytime soon.
Oh, and to address your other point, no - there need not be any world police (terrible movies aside). Civilisation has lurched forward for the past several thousand years without a self-appointed transnational sheriff.
The closest it ever got to anyone filling that role were the various powerful states that used force to keep unruly protectorates in line (which is technically domestic action). The Romans kept order and they did it largely by ignoring the domestic squabbles of their thralls, but they weren't afraid to crucify and slaughter people on occasion.
The difference between the Romans and the United States is that the Romans acknowledged that they were building an empire and had a duty to civilise the peoples they subjugated.
If the US wants to assume the mantle of global enforcer and keep Iraq from tearing itself to pieces then they should step up to the plate and conquer them properly - none of this pussyfooting around raping the oilwells and then buggering off home when it all gets too much. Declare them a state, give them welfare benefits, paved roads and an aqueduct.
Honest imperialism or GTFO.
Disclaimer: Non-americans may not be viewing the world through a tiny polarised lense.
If I recall correctly, it was due to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. That said, there were a great deal of underlying tensions in Europe preceeding the great war and the assassination itself was merely the flashpoint.
Arguably, if the Middle East is similarly volatile then war will erupt there, regardless.
Not yet, I agree. But with the current trend in hardware, it seems that the next round of offerings will make no distinction and a games console/pc would be just as at home in either place.
My intimation is that the distinction between console and PC will evaporate in the next batch of machines. With moves afoot to create a standard platform gaming PC all of the advantages of consoles will manifest in PCs, and as consoles become more broadly targeted the advantages of PC flexibility will be incorporated.
I expect we'll find that Xbox4000, PS4 and standard PC platform (TM) will be just as common in the study as in the lounge room, and vice versa - the upgrade treadmill will be broken.
I expect there will be few complaints, since everyone stands to benefit from that kind of transition. Players will have machines that are smaller and can do more, game devs can target hardware more closely and spend more time actually making games, GPU manufacturers can exploit longer product cycles and broader sales.
The only folks who will suffer are those insufferable people who like to flaunt bleeding edge hardware like it's a technological penis extension.
I believe that their struggle is entirely with the CHP, as it should be - the police fucked up and they should be held accountable. Although they would change things if they could, from TFA it sounds like they are realistic about their ability to change the world - they merely want to set a precedent of deterrence for these kinds of leaks.
That said, I think your suggestion that they use their efforts to raise awareness in the girl's name is also well founded. If they win the case and get a payout I think it would be an excellent use of it.
Why build it yourself when you can buy off the shelf? It's cheaper and quicker. I've got enough other things to build at the moment. And besides, making robots is my day job - I do other things for fun.
No, it isn't. There's nothing miraculous about a low probability occurrence. Given a large enough sample, low probability results are likely and expected; the absence of someone with unusual survival would be much more significant.
Slashdot Mirror
Only it goes faster?
Wouldn't that be the Hentai Guide to Databases?
Manga: is there anything it can't teach?
No, actually, I wasn't. That might explain all this trouble I've been having. No... wait... that's just windows.
Is the old floppy-to-floppy style of virus nearing extinction, or will poisoned bittorrent files breathe new life into this kind of chicanery?
Even as a modern EE/robotics guy I use some of those parts today (555 timers in particular). I can't imagine the pain you'd have to go to to do some of the things they were used for in their heyday with discrete transistors and passive components.
Oops, see below for reply.
First they start you on 7, then Windows Server and Vista, and before you know it you have a full install of Windows ME.
It seems absurd to believe that people killing each other in a domestic conflict in one country are suddenly going to turn around and attack another country on the other side of the planet for no reason. And before people whine about the WTC attacks, ask yourself why people go so pissed off at you that they decided to kill your fellow countrymen (Hint: it's not your freedom they take umbrage with).
If a powerful nation with a history of military and political adventurism (I'm sure you can name a few) started amassing forces, then perhaps preemptive military 'intervention' is called for. A tin-pot nation that's so caught up killing its own people is hardly going to be a credible threat to anyone but themselves anytime soon.
Oh, and to address your other point, no - there need not be any world police (terrible movies aside). Civilisation has lurched forward for the past several thousand years without a self-appointed transnational sheriff.
The closest it ever got to anyone filling that role were the various powerful states that used force to keep unruly protectorates in line (which is technically domestic action). The Romans kept order and they did it largely by ignoring the domestic squabbles of their thralls, but they weren't afraid to crucify and slaughter people on occasion.
The difference between the Romans and the United States is that the Romans acknowledged that they were building an empire and had a duty to civilise the peoples they subjugated.
If the US wants to assume the mantle of global enforcer and keep Iraq from tearing itself to pieces then they should step up to the plate and conquer them properly - none of this pussyfooting around raping the oilwells and then buggering off home when it all gets too much. Declare them a state, give them welfare benefits, paved roads and an aqueduct.
Honest imperialism or GTFO.
Disclaimer: Non-americans may not be viewing the world through a tiny polarised lense.
Quite so. If she's unhappy about her situation then she is obliged to go to the police. You are not the police, and neither is the United States.
Arguably, if the Middle East is similarly volatile then war will erupt there, regardless.
Not yet, I agree. But with the current trend in hardware, it seems that the next round of offerings will make no distinction and a games console/pc would be just as at home in either place.
If the US pulled out of Iraq... who or what would be killing Iraqis? Other Iraqis? Sounds like an Iraqi problem, not a US problem.
I expect we'll find that Xbox4000, PS4 and standard PC platform (TM) will be just as common in the study as in the lounge room, and vice versa - the upgrade treadmill will be broken.
I expect there will be few complaints, since everyone stands to benefit from that kind of transition. Players will have machines that are smaller and can do more, game devs can target hardware more closely and spend more time actually making games, GPU manufacturers can exploit longer product cycles and broader sales.
The only folks who will suffer are those insufferable people who like to flaunt bleeding edge hardware like it's a technological penis extension.
When did you last check? 1992?
So what you're saying is that it's actually copyright infringement?
That said, I think your suggestion that they use their efforts to raise awareness in the girl's name is also well founded. If they win the case and get a payout I think it would be an excellent use of it.
It is impossible to rule innocent men.
Why build it yourself when you can buy off the shelf? It's cheaper and quicker. I've got enough other things to build at the moment. And besides, making robots is my day job - I do other things for fun.
Yes, I really am. I'm a specialist in UAV propulsion and control.
We should check out Vega. Maybe we'll find something interesting.
Maybe our type of planet is just difficult to find because it's so (relatively) small?
As a roboticist, I think this is the coolest thing since rocket skates. I can't wait for this to be commercialised.
I hope good ol' Stephen enjoys his renewed life as a 20-something leggy blond. Or should I say 'Stephany'.
No, it isn't. There's nothing miraculous about a low probability occurrence. Given a large enough sample, low probability results are likely and expected; the absence of someone with unusual survival would be much more significant.