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User: aggiefalcon01

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  1. Re:How about repair? on Best Developer's Laptop? · · Score: 1

    I second the repair idea. So the LCD went bonkers ... rather than spending $1200 on a new machine, why not spend $100 - $300 on a replacement screen? YMMV, but for most Gateways, the screen seems to fall in that price range. Plenty of businesses in this niche to choose from. They sell screens for MPC laptops, as well.

  2. Re:extra power usage on New Record For Solar Cell Power Efficiency · · Score: 1

    I've heard of quite a few people successfully doing this. Generally, during those times that their home produces more electricity than it consumes, they merely feed it back into the grid, and their power meter runs backwards. Usually, though, over the billing cycle (i.e. month) they still consume more power than they generate, so in effect they just have a much-lower bill than before.

    In a few cases, some people who've done this have managed to consume less power than they generate, and in these instances, the power-company owes them money. The power company usually checks *very* carefully to see that their meter is working correctly, but once satisfied, they do get checks for the going rate for electricity at that time.

    Contact Dr. Alan Zelicoff - he's done massive amounts of research into this. He's even written an outstanding small book about photovoltaics, saving energy, alternative (and efficient) HVAC systems based on water, etc.

  3. Re:Policy on Aussies Sue Over Misleading Google Ads · · Score: 1

    Not necessarily. Not every ad's target page (there are billions) will be visited by a Google employee. However, Google does have a crawler called Google Ads Bot that crawls every single target page, and then digests it, so that Google can determine if the page is a good match for the ad text & keywords or not. If it's not a good match - according to this algorithm - Google won't let the ad go through. But bear in mind that this kind of software-based figuring out if a page matches a keyword well enough is far different from verifying a Nike ad doesn't load up an anti-Nike page at Reebok. More info on Google Ads Bot.

  4. "free knowledge" from the government on Wikipedia Gets State Funding in Germany · · Score: 1

    And it's great that our government does this - others should do the same. Knowledge for the people for free in an accessible form. Great!
    And therein lies the rub. Where exactly is the line in "free knowledge, from the government" and "government-sponsored propaganda"?
  5. PHEV-20 HUMVEE on Google Spends Money to Jump-Start Hybrid Car Development · · Score: 1

    In 2003-04, the US Marine Corps demonstrated a diesel-electric PHEV-20 HUMVEE. (The military likes the silent, zero-heat "footprint" in all-electric mode, and appreciates saving fuel that can cost well over $100/gallon to deliver to front lines.)

    While this sounds good, I tend to like the dependability of a good-ole' mechanical engine with simpler technology that's been tested, improved, and optimized for about a century. And picture this: an EMP goes off, and assuming you can get a jump one way or another, your diesel engine runs fine. Your PHEV-20 would likely be toast ... and, shortly, you would be, too.

    All the same, that's a neat example of an application of PHEV innovations. Thanks for the heads-up.
  6. something original, I hope ... on Music Decoded From 600-Year-Old Carvings · · Score: 1

    600 year old music ... perhaps finally, something original? If it turns out to be some kinda medieval Macarena, I am going to shoot myself.

  7. Re:Google has to require link = real destination on Google Deletes Rogue Ads, Dangers Persist · · Score: 1

    Speaking as a current BoA customer, I tend to agree

  8. SiO2 is a solid, yes, but that's on Earth on Water Found in Exoplanet's Atmosphere · · Score: 1

    While you're right to state SiO2 is a solid, that's true on our planet (i.e. pressure, temperature, other chemicals in the environment). Is it constant, elsewheres?

  9. understand what's happening, and our contribution on Google Earth Highlights Darfur · · Score: 1

    In addition to the information about what's happening in Darfur, why not also give facts about our contribution to it? For example, how many millions of $US go to Sudan each year? How much non-profit money goes to Sudan? After all, if the Sudan is corrupt, then the majority of the money going into it - for any purpose - is quite likely to go to nefarious purposes.

  10. Perhaps not on Google Maps ... so try competitors on Google Confirms $600M South Carolina Data Center · · Score: 1

    Perhaps these sites don't appear on Google Maps, and it's easy to figure Google wants them to not appear. But guess what? Google has competitors (for now). So the better question is: - Do these sites appear on Yahoo Maps? - Do these sites appear on MSN Live Local? - Do these sites appear on Ask.com maps? While Google wants the info secret, Yahoo/MSN/Ask have a big interest in seeing the information made public.

  11. Google and paid-position vs most-relevant on 1-800-Google Launches · · Score: 1

    What you've described is how AdWords (and AdSense) works. In both, the amount the advertiser is willing to pay is taken into consideration, so higher pay can lead to higher placement. At the same time, relevancy of the ad, and of the target page, is also taken into consideration. Both variables are multiplied by some coefficients, and the resulting score is how ads are placed. So the top ad in any box of AdWords is probably more relevant, or at higher cost to the advertiser (or both), than the #2 spot.

    Google's normal organic results, of course, are a different story. Helpfully, Google pretty clearly labels which results on a page are organic, and which are pay-per-click. Hopefully, the 411 service will do the same (make it clear which results are ads and which are not).

  12. Mars, Pluto, Jupiter, Triton are warming on Scientists Threatened For "Climate Denial" · · Score: 2, Informative
    We're now seeing evidence of current climate change on several extra-terrestrial bodies:

    Mars (National Geographic):

    "Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of the St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Russia, says the Mars data is evidence that the current global warming on Earth is being caused by changes in the sun."
    Pluto (MIT):

    "the average surface temperature of the nitrogen ice on Pluto has increased slightly less than 2 degrees Celsius over the past 14 years."
    Note: Pluto is currently moving away from the Sun. That it is warming indicates that something doesn't fit into the "Solar Constant" dismissal theories.

    Jupiter (Space.com):

    "The latest images could provide evidence that Jupiter is in the midst of a global change that can modify temperatures by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit on different parts of the globe."
    Triton (MIT):

    "At least since 1989, Triton has been undergoing a period of global warming. Percentage-wise, it's a very large increase," said Elliot, professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and director of the Wallace Astrophysical Observatory. The 5 percent increase on the absolute temperature scale from about minus-392 degrees Fahrenheit to about minus-389 degrees Fahrenheit would be like the Earth experiencing a jump of about 22 degrees Fahrenheit."
    Clearly, the oil industry must have infiltrated these august publications; or, these entities are all simply industry stooges. Because it cannot possibly be anything other than anthropogenic global warming is happening on Earth.
  13. Re:Yeah, that's a horrible idea. on Tax Accounting Evil at Google? · · Score: 1

    Not to mention Ariana Huffington (and this came up during the CA governor's race debates ... Arnold said her tax loopholes were so big he could drive his hummer through them).

  14. Re:Must just be in England... on Consumer Revolt Spurred Via the Internet · · Score: 1

    I've heard of quite a few people closing their accounts over this. However, unless you happen to live in a sanctuary city like San Diego or Houston, the average person hasn't heard this story, and doesn't know what Bank of America is doing.

  15. Re:Why are you anti-technology? on Australia Outlaws Incandescent Light Bulb · · Score: 1

    I'm surprised that on Slashdot of all places people would be so ... quick to spread misinformation about technologies they obviously know nothing about.
    You're new here, aren't you? How cute.

    And if you want a reason to be wary of CFL's: mercury. I have about 15 CFL's at home, and when they do die ... where am I supposed to take them?
  16. Re:Ah, irony. on Michael Crichton on Why Gene Patents Are Bad · · Score: 1

    By this logic, it's stupid to even try to predict the future. You'll be wrong, and thus, it's a pointless task. You're in good health now? Living comfortably? Why bother flossing your teeth and putting money in your 401K? You can't predict the future, after all.
    Mmm . . . straw-man arguments. Love 'em.
  17. Re:I wish that he would keep his mouth shut on Michael Crichton on Why Gene Patents Are Bad · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You seem to have forgotten something in this discussion over science & politics.

    Global warming is neither!!! Global Warming is a religion: it is taken on faith, it has its own commandments, it has its judgement day, and its savior (heaven help us) in the personage of ... well, Gore, and every other idiot celebrity who is simultaneously NOT a scientist, and yet an expert on Global Warming.

    And you're not allowed to attack religions ... so attacking Global Warming goes right out the window. Which is great news for socialists, they've never been fans of open, honest, intelligent debate.

    Global Warming is a religion. As soon as you realize this, it all makes much more sense. Kinda.

  18. Re: Flame Squirrel on Walmart Rejects Firefox and Safari · · Score: 1

    Congratulations. Your post is the ONLY result for the query "flame squirrel" browser. Golf clap.

  19. Link to Contact YouTube on Two Ways Not To Handle Free Speech · · Score: 1
    This issue actually brought the Xooglers (ex-Googlers blog) out of hibernation, and they not only weighed in, but provided a helpful link.

    • First, to deem quotations from a holy text to be "inappropriate content" is outrageous on its face.
    • Second, Gisburne was given no warning.
    • Third, YouTube didn't just delete the video in question, they deleted Gisburne's entire account.
    • And fourth, this makes a mockery of Google's "don't be evil" slogan.
      • There can be no possible reason for this action other than caving to intimidation, and sanctimonious cowardice in the face of oppression is a particularly pernicious breed of evil.

        If you share my outrage I urge you to contact YouTube and let them know how you feel.
    Contact YouTube. Now!
  20. Re:Religion on Two Ways Not To Handle Free Speech · · Score: 1

    Actually, a common thread in Islam's traditions is to point out that Christianity is poly-theistic, as the Christians worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians will rebut that there is only one God, but he comes in three persons, but many Muslims see this as Christians not being monotheistic anymore. Therefore, infidels.

  21. Re:Mormons are Christians on Two Ways Not To Handle Free Speech · · Score: 1

    Mormonism rejects most other groups as well.
    The claim that Mormonism rejects other groups is false.
    Then why is it there are some Mormon temples I, as a Christian, am not allowed to go into? Or, if I do go into them, they must be "cleansed" afterward?
  22. Re:Funny that we should view this as "provocative" on China Tests Anti-Satellite Laser Weapon · · Score: 1

    You quote something, and then cherry-pick from the quote the bits that suit you. What part of "if necessary" did you miss? or, "hostile to US interests"? So long as China is not an enemy (and I believe we're at a $69 billion trade deficit with them, so we're spending lots of money on their stuff to be an enemy) we will not do much at all (officially).

  23. Re:The very same things which make us hate M$... on Get on the 'Gates for President' Bandwagon · · Score: 1
    Bush had a compliant congress who were sycophantic to an obscene degree but even then he failed miserably in just about everything he tried.
    Not quite. The congress he had felt very differently than he did about border security (Bush wants lax security, Conservatives don't), and now that the Democrats (who also want lax border security) will control congress, Bush is beside himself with excitement when he talks about working with them on this issue. Frankly, the fact that Bush is looking forward to working with a Democratic congress and happy he no longer has to deal with Republicans is quite strange, yet undeniable.
  24. 0.4 percent on Americans Drove Less in 2005 · · Score: 1

    So the drop was by less than half of 1%. That number would be helpful in the description ... So I guess what's interesting is not the amount of the drop (infinitesimal) but the fact that it dropped at all, instead of rising.

  25. Re:Not a A Macacaphonic Chorus on Democrats Take House, Senate Undecided · · Score: 1

    Because the Libertarians are the most successful, and most viable, 3rd party out there. Therefore, they are the biggest threat to the current 2-party system. Therefore, both parties would gladly help out the Greens & others, at the expense of the Libertarians, in order to ensure to keep the Libertarians down.

    One question worth asking: Given how much success the Libertarians have had, why doesn't the media give them more attention? Why aren't there more 3-way debates?

    Probable answer: because the current establishment, and the media, both want to keep the status quo of the current 2-party system. Because the Libertarians are the biggest threat, ignoring them diminishes their power. Or, only bringing them in while also bringing in 1-3 other candidates, so that instead of a contest of 3, it's a contest of 4-6.

    Case in point: last night's election for Texas Governor. Perry & Bell, vs. Strayhorn, Warner, and Friedman.