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User: Linnen

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  1. From Pogo on Excuse Me While I Kiss This Guy: The Science of Misheard Song Lyrics · · Score: 1

    via Straight Dope http://www.straightdope.com/co... ;

    Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
    Walla Walla, Wash., an' Kalamazoo!
    Nora's freezin' on the trolley,
    Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo!

    Don't we know archaic barrel
    Lullaby Lilla Boy, Louisville Lou?
    Trolley Molly don't love Harold,
    Boola boola Pensacoola hullabaloo!

    Bark us all bow-wows of folly,
    Polly wolly cracker 'n' too-da-loo!
    Donkey Bonny brays a carol,
    Antelope Cantaloupe, 'lope with you!

    Hunky Dory's pop is lolly,
    Gaggin' on the wagon, Willy, folly go through!
    Chollie's collie barks at Barrow,
    Harum scarum five alarm bung-a-loo!

    Dunk us all in bowls of barley,
    Hinky dinky dink an' polly voo!
    Chilly Filly's name is Chollie,
    Chollie Filly's jolly chilly view halloo!

    Bark us all bow-wows of folly,
    Double-bubble, toyland trouble! Woof, woof, woof!
    Tizzy seas on melon collie!
    Dibble-dabble, scribble-scrabble! Goof, goof, goof!

  2. As a fan of backward compatibility, I'm going meh on Google Docs Ditching Old Microsoft Export Formats On Oct. 1 · · Score: 1

    Not certain how big a deal this is. Even MS Office 2013 is not fully compatible with Office 2003-2007 format documents.

  3. Re:The government can borrow for free on Senate Bill Raises Possibility of Withdrawl From ITER As Science Cuts Loom · · Score: 2

    from Krugman's blog, 5- 7- and 10-year bonds have negative yields. Investors are paying the government to buy these things instead of going into stocks.

  4. Re:Another scaremongering story on Is Our Infrastructure Ready For Rising Temperatures? · · Score: 1

    Dude, did you even look at the picture in the article?

    You can see the tracks left behind by the wheels on the other side of the airplane. It was sinking into the tarmac before it stopped. I seriously doubt the plane was still longer than normal operating times.

  5. Re:I thought the SCOTUS had become a political bod on Supreme Court: Affordable Care Act Is Constitutional · · Score: 1

    There is the Roberts Court legacy to think of. Kidding aside, one analysis that I read does make a good case that this ground-breaking in a big way that a number of people have missed. As in saying that the mandate penalty falls under Congress's power to tax is a minnow next to the following whale.

    This ruling also limits the Commerce Clause.

    "This is the Roberts Court. And here, we’ve got a pro-business Court that interprets laws as constitutional when it can. Roberts found a way to keep this law in-bounds — without abandoning his conservative principles on the expansion of federal power. The conservatives “disappointed” with Roberts today are being silly and can’t see the long game here. The Commerce Clause has been limited AND the Court looks non-partisan. Beat that with a stick."

  6. NASA Spin-offs on US Report Sees Perils To America's Tech Future · · Score: 1

    I realize that the 'in' thing is to bash "big, bad inefficient" government, but do try to keep up with the times. 30 second search on Wikipedia.
    From Wiki
    1 NASA spin-off technologies

    1.1 Health and medicine
    1.1.1 Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
    1.1.2 Infrared ear thermometers
    1.1.3 Ventricular assist device
    1.1.4 Artificial limbs
    1.2 Transportation
    1.2.1 Aircraft anti-icing systems
    1.2.2 Highway safety
    1.2.3 Improved radial tires
    1.2.4 Chemical detection
    1.3 Public safety
    1.3.1 Video enhancing and analysis systems
    1.3.2 Fire-resistant reinforcement
    1.3.3 Firefighting equipment
    1.4 Consumer, home, and recreation
    1.4.1 Temper foam
    1.4.2 Enriched baby food
    1.4.3 Portable cordless vacuums
    1.4.4 Freeze drying
    1.5 Environmental and agricultural resources
    1.5.1 Water purification
    1.5.2 Solar energy
    1.5.3 Pollution remediation
    1.6 Computer technology
    1.6.1 Structural analysis software
    1.6.2 Remotely controlled ovens
    1.6.3 NASA Visualization Explorer
    1.7 Industrial productivity
    1.7.1 Powdered lubricants
    1.7.2 Improved mine safety
    1.7.3 Food safety

    NASA even publishes a report of its spin-off technologies ( http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/ )
    Here is a list from 2010;
    NASA Technologies Benefiting Society
    Health and Medicine
    Burnishing Techniques Strengthen Hip Implants
    Signal Processing Methods Monitor Cranial Pressure
    Ultraviolet-Blocking Lenses Protect, Enhance Vision
    Hyperspectral Systems Increase Imaging Capabilities
    Transportation
    Programs Model the Future of Air Traffic Management
    Tail Rotor Airfoils Stabilize Helicopters, Reduce Noise
    Personal Aircraft Point to the Future of Transportation
    Ducted Fan Designs Lead to Potential New Vehicles
    Winglets Save Billions of Dollars in Fuel Costs
    Sensor Systems Collect Critical Aerodynamics Data
    Coatings Extend Life of Engines and Infrastructure
    Public Safety
    Radiometers Optimize Local Weather Prediction
    Energy-Efficient Systems Eliminate Icing Danger for UAVs
    Rocket-Powered Parachutes Rescue Entire Planes
    Technologies Advance UAVs for Science, Military
    Inflatable Antennas Support Emergency Communication
    Smart Sensors Assess Structural Health
    Hand-Held Devices Detect Explosives and Chemical Agents
    Terahertz Tools Advance Imaging for Security, Industry
    Consumer, Home, and Recreation
    LED Systems Target Plant Growth
    Aeroge

  7. They are a 'Fallacy of the Middle' party on New Group Paves Way For 2012 Online Primary · · Score: 1

    Another example of 'High Broderism' made into a political party, like Bloomberg's try or the 'No Labels' party. When one party's response to a cut finger is to recommend to cut off the patient's hand and the other party's recommendation is to cut the patient's arm off at the shoulder, these 'centralists' would compromise and just cut the patient's arm off at the elbow instead of getting out the band-aide.

    America Elect is a group of campaign consultants looking for a front man.

  8. Re:cheaters on The Future of Shopping · · Score: 1

    The implemented solution is random audits. Your order is flagged at random and the cashier in charge of the area comes over and rescans some or all of your items. I do not know what happens if there is a discrepancy.

  9. Mad-libs! on SlashTweaks Let YOU Micro-Edit Slashdot · · Score: 2

    Cannot believe I forgot the date.

  10. This was the BIGGEST reason why I got on When Your Company Remote-Wipes Your Personal Phone · · Score: 1

    a G-1 Google phone, that it did not integrate with office mail systems. Consumer Reposts had that as a minus, and for many smartphone users it could be. But why would I wish to tie my personal phone to the office's systems? Office issued cell-phones are called 'Ball-and-Chain' for a reason.

  11. another cycle, old becomes new again on Will Amazon Put Advertisements In eBooks? · · Score: 1

    It is not like it is unheard of as in magazines and comics. But those are not books, simply ... reading material. I have old pulp sci-fi paperbacks with adverts on the back cover, inside the front and back covers and inserts. I have seen this with old classics as well as other pulp genres. Some publishing houses even did this with hardbacks. I seem to remember some publishing lines doing this even more recently, although that fad seems to have been relegated to other reading material, like magazines and comics. My issue with this is just how obtrusive will this be. Will we see ebook adverts that are un-skippable? Don't care which company pulls this, I'd rather vote with my pocket-book elsewhere.

  12. Ethics FAIL on Israeli Border Police Shoot US Student's Laptop · · Score: 1

    Holding oneself to some standard usually invokes such words as Top, Best, or Gold. Trying to say "At least they were better than X (for values of X like Iran, N. Korea, Nazis, Stalin, Spanish Inquisition,...) is a cop-out.

    As for 'not poking the bear', you do realize that in some areas just breathing qualifies? For a US-centric example, consider 'Driving While Black/Latino'. Being a woman in Saudi Arabia (or Iran) certainly qualifies.

  13. Re:There are other OS's on Apple Seeks Patent On Operating System Advertising · · Score: 1

    That is one part that puzzles me. This embedded ads patent does seems set to violate every rule of design, official and unofficial, for the UI.

    I can see it if Microsoft came up with this. They'd be roasted up one side and down the other. (The attitude that MS would not get roasted is my primary point of contention with the parent.) The flames would be especially intense if they were to implement this, adding another layer of FUBAR to the OS.

    But Jobs?

  14. Re:There are other OS's on Apple Seeks Patent On Operating System Advertising · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Apple could get away with doing it. No one else could. Now if Apple wants to do it, Microsoft will be making double profit (1) switching users (2) royalties.

    Fixed it for ya.

    If Microsoft would do anything of this nature, they will get called on it. The only defenders that I can think of would be Ballmer and the rest of the MS marketing team.
    Apple, OTOH, has the non-corporate defenders to get away with this. They could install this on every Mac, iPhone and iPod complete with 'you will brick your device if this is modded away' utilities, and Apple fans will still say combinations of "Jobs is brilliant!", "Apple needs this to compete." and "MS/LINUX Biter!"

  15. Re:And if they lose? on Global Warming To Be Put On Trial? · · Score: 1

    That is the 'tell' to this story.

    If they win, the Chamber of Commerce gets a 'legal' stick that they can use to beat down environmentalists, climate scientists and anti-pollution protesters.

    If they lose, meh. On to the next WATB argument that all those protesters and scientists are being meanies.

    Heads, they win. Tails are ignored.

  16. Re:Geography - not nationality on Apple's Terms No Longer Allow ITMS Purchases Outside of US · · Score: 2, Informative

    yup.

    Same thing hits when US card holder tries purchasing electronica from the European iTunes store or Anime Soundtracks from the Japanese store.

    If it were not for this aspect of region locking, I would have been a customer.

  17. Re:This is the new Amerika on TSA Bans Flight If You Refuse To Show ID · · Score: 1

    There are several sources of propaganda videos. You can choose from;

    - FOX,
    - MSNBC,
    - ABC,
    - CBS, or
    - CNN.

  18. Re:Phew! on FBI Raids Home of Suspected NSA Leaker · · Score: 1
    Huh? Care to show your work for the rest of us? From Wikipedia,

    It is the only indictment brought by the grand jury, and Fitzgerald has stated that he does not expect to be indicting anyone else, citing repeatedly Libby's obstruction of justice as a main impediment to finding out what happened in investigating the leak of Valerie Wilson's classified, covert CIA identity.
    The only black eye in the face of justice that I can discover is Libby's sentence being commuted. Amazing how that works out to the benefit of the V.P. and the WH, does it not?
  19. Re:Phew! on FBI Raids Home of Suspected NSA Leaker · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why would they raid the Oval Office when the prosecutor could not prove that the White House had anything to do with the leak?
    Fixed it for you.

    There is a reason that one of the charges that Scooter Libby was charged and convicted on was 'Obstruction of Justice'.

  20. As an example on Bill Would Criminalize Attempted IP Infringement · · Score: 1

    Henry Kissinger got the 1973 Nobel Peace prize for the cease-fire that ended American involvement in Viet Nam.

  21. Which is why IOIYAR is a saying. on Venezuela's Contrarian TV Station Survives on YouTube · · Score: 1

    Oh wait, you were serious.

  22. And you are sure that ... on Venezuela's Contrarian TV Station Survives on YouTube · · Score: 1

    the only thing pointed at Gen. Rincon was a TV camera, right?

  23. Re:Will Hugo Chavez show more tolerance? on Venezuela's Contrarian TV Station Survives on YouTube · · Score: 1
    from St Petersburg Times

    But this much is certain: On Saturday, as protesters packed the streets and the presidential palace changed hands for the second time in two days, Venezuelan TV viewers were left in the dark. Instead of news, most got cartoons, reruns and Pretty Woman.

    The next day, with Chavez safely back in the palace, none of the country's main Sunday newspapers appeared.

    "It was a media coup, a complete blackout," said journalism professor Antonio Almeida, who teaches at the Central University of Venezuela. "Instead of informing the public they covered up the facts."

    The media's Saturday blackout contrasted sharply with the blanket coverage of events Thursday leading up to the coup. That included dramatic footage of the repression of a massive antigovernment march in which at least 15 people, including one photographer, were killed and hundreds injured.
    ....
    There was no denying an ugly climate of intimidation Saturday by Chavez supporters, as well as looting. On the other hand, there were no reports of journalists being hurt.

    Ferreres, Venevision's president, denied the media delegation was pressured to censor its reporting. "We received no instructions either from the de facto government, nor any government," he said. "No one tells us what we can and cannot do." Privately, however, Venezuelan journalists from several media outlets say news desks stopped taking their stories. Citing concerns over job reprisals, they agreed to speak on condition that their names not be used.
    From The Nation

    All this [media stakes in ousting Chavez] helps explain why, in the days leading up to the April coup, Venevisión, RCTV, Globovisión and Televen replaced regular programming with relentless anti-Chávez speeches, interrupted only for commercials calling on viewers to take to the streets: "Not one step backward. Out! Leave now!" The ads were sponsored by the oil industry, but the stations carried them free, as "public service announcements."
    ...
    Izarra says he received clear instructions: "No information on Chávez, his followers, his ministers, and all others that could in any way be related to him." He watched with horror as his bosses actively suppressed breaking news. Izarra says that on the day of the coup, RCTV had a report from a US affiliate that Chávez had not resigned but had been kidnapped and jailed. It didn't make the news. Mexico, Argentina and France condemned the coup and refused to recognize the new government. RCTV knew but didn't tell.
  24. In other words ... on What is the Best Bug-as-a-Feature? · · Score: 1

    a wart.

  25. This has been another edition of ... on In France, Only Journalists Can Film Violence · · Score: 1

    Simple Answers to Simple Questions.