Their methodology was atrocious, their so-called university affiliation was denied by the college, and they used unethical research practices. this is NOT science; it is GARBAGE.
An RFID solution for this problem already exists. Surgical equipment and gauze and sponges are manufactured with a tag inside, or sewn on. A wand shaped like a loop is waved over the patient before the surgeon closes to make sure all foreign material is removed.
It seems to me sometimes that we focus more on trying to make the 'cool' tech and gadgets from the tv shows of our childhood than making new innovations sometimes. I wonder if it actually inhibits science to try and make it fit to fiction, or whether fiction really is the best inspiration.
On the other hand, I really, really want my own replicator.
Wacom tablets are pure condensed and ironed flat slabs of joy. About a year and a half ago I got one of the 5x8 (I think) inchers as a present and it is one of the best peripherals I've ever gotten. I don't do much much artistic with it but I will say that, combined with a good mouse gestures program, it has made my life much easier.
I happen to be a bit of a mouse addict (I have a little handheld trackball, 2 optical mice, a wireless gyromouse, and my tablet pen and mouse within easy reach right now) but I have to say that for the money, a tablet is the best thing I've found. On top of making quick movements faster, they're also easier on the wrists - big deal for me as I'm in thesis/final project mode right now and glued to my desk.
When people have to use my comp, I usually pull up a spare traditional mouse for them, but a lot of people tend to pick up that tablet fairly quickly. My boyfriend fell in love with it after we were doing some coding late one night and he was dragging some stuff around. The tablets have absolute positioning which, while it takes getting used to and isn't for everybody, can be really handy.
I know that Wacom 0wnz my input methods for as long as they are around, and I keep trying to get other people to sell their sou--I mean try out tablets.
In general, I think that most/.ers would agree that invasive DRM practices are not a Good Thing(tm), but I wonder how the general public will see these initiatives, if at all. I think that either of two things will happen:
People inexperienced with computers will see the nice friendly keywords like 'safe' and 'trusted', and favor these products out of fear, which is obviously what the manufacturers want.
Alternatively, Joe User, who neither knows nor cares about security will simply ignore such concerns as fine print, since any kind of technical explanation is of no interest.
Unfortunately, I think the principal outcome may be that, like it or not, these Trusted Computing initiatives may propagate, either from adoption by fearful masses, or simply by sliding under the average consumer's radar.
I would argue that this violent reactionism is one sign that OSS is on the verge of mainstream acceptance. Throughout history, as new ideas have supplanted older, closely held ones, the group that holds fast to those practices and principles becomes more and more marginalized and reacts by lashing out viciously. Could this be the case here? I think it is. Hopefully these opposing voices will continue to get smaller and more violent, alienating even more people from their cause. Besides, who can argue with free publicity?
Also, I, being a 'run-of-the-mill geek', am quite flattered that I now have the ability to gleefully (and apparently psychotically) 'wreak damage' on people's computers. Guess I picked that up and didn't even realize...
[BBC: "Deep in the darkness of the psyche, vandals and arsonists no doubt have their reasons - and so, presumably, do the run-of-the-mill geeks who wreak damage on the unsuspecting computer user."]
Slashdot Mirror
Their methodology was atrocious, their so-called university affiliation was denied by the college, and they used unethical research practices. this is NOT science; it is GARBAGE.
Check these out, yo:
A thorough summary of the fail
Another roundup
An RFID solution for this problem already exists. Surgical equipment and gauze and sponges are manufactured with a tag inside, or sewn on. A wand shaped like a loop is waved over the patient before the surgeon closes to make sure all foreign material is removed.
It seems to me sometimes that we focus more on trying to make the 'cool' tech and gadgets from the tv shows of our childhood than making new innovations sometimes. I wonder if it actually inhibits science to try and make it fit to fiction, or whether fiction really is the best inspiration.
On the other hand, I really, really want my own replicator.
Wacom tablets are pure condensed and ironed flat slabs of joy. About a year and a half ago I got one of the 5x8 (I think) inchers as a present and it is one of the best peripherals I've ever gotten. I don't do much much artistic with it but I will say that, combined with a good mouse gestures program, it has made my life much easier.
I happen to be a bit of a mouse addict (I have a little handheld trackball, 2 optical mice, a wireless gyromouse, and my tablet pen and mouse within easy reach right now) but I have to say that for the money, a tablet is the best thing I've found. On top of making quick movements faster, they're also easier on the wrists - big deal for me as I'm in thesis/final project mode right now and glued to my desk.
When people have to use my comp, I usually pull up a spare traditional mouse for them, but a lot of people tend to pick up that tablet fairly quickly. My boyfriend fell in love with it after we were doing some coding late one night and he was dragging some stuff around. The tablets have absolute positioning which, while it takes getting used to and isn't for everybody, can be really handy.
I know that Wacom 0wnz my input methods for as long as they are around, and I keep trying to get other people to sell their sou--I mean try out tablets.
In general, I think that most /.ers would agree that invasive DRM practices are not a Good Thing(tm), but I wonder how the general public will see these initiatives, if at all. I think that either of two things will happen:
People inexperienced with computers will see the nice friendly keywords like 'safe' and 'trusted', and favor these products out of fear, which is obviously what the manufacturers want.
Alternatively, Joe User, who neither knows nor cares about security will simply ignore such concerns as fine print, since any kind of technical explanation is of no interest.
Unfortunately, I think the principal outcome may be that, like it or not, these Trusted Computing initiatives may propagate, either from adoption by fearful masses, or simply by sliding under the average consumer's radar.
I would argue that this violent reactionism is one sign that OSS is on the verge of mainstream acceptance. Throughout history, as new ideas have supplanted older, closely held ones, the group that holds fast to those practices and principles becomes more and more marginalized and reacts by lashing out viciously. Could this be the case here? I think it is. Hopefully these opposing voices will continue to get smaller and more violent, alienating even more people from their cause. Besides, who can argue with free publicity?
Also, I, being a 'run-of-the-mill geek', am quite flattered that I now have the ability to gleefully (and apparently psychotically) 'wreak damage' on people's computers. Guess I picked that up and didn't even realize...
[BBC: "Deep in the darkness of the psyche, vandals and arsonists no doubt have their reasons - and so, presumably, do the run-of-the-mill geeks who wreak damage on the unsuspecting computer user."]