an idea i had which i once mailed to ask slashdot, but which was never posted (not that im bitter:)
given a full duplex stereo soundcard could one write a program to triangulate the 3d position of a microphone from the delays of the known (+distortion) output to two sets of speakers. Obviously there are really only two (left + right) signals, but theoretically it seems possible to me to dicern the third and fourth by their difference in time. I ask about the practicality of the software: would it be too cpu intensive? is sound input just too noisy to do that kind of math with?
This idea is simply something that occured to me given previous knowledge aquired mostly for free- I take no credit for it and scoff at the idea of patenting it:P
Hmmph, I've had moderator points a couple of times and I usually find nothing I feel strongly about moderating. Until I dont have any points. Well, for what its worth I'd moderate this up. Why? Because its TRUE.
wow, this is the first I've heard about this. Proteins have always struck me (who've never taken an organic chem class) as programs, hardware and software in one, possibly optical in nature- at least analog. Does anyone informed care to "illucidate"?
heres a brief overview of the specs of the ISP that I'd like to be using.
-Totally decentralized. -Based on fiber, so bandwidth can be added by adding a new wavelength (hopefully dynamic) -Addressing is not doled out- it is based on physical location (lat/longitude). -Pub/Private key based, using physically verified webs of trust and not a central authority. -Noone owns it- I buy a box and connect it to my neighbors (who are in charge of verifying my identity and making sure I dont masquerade packets) -Opensourced hardware and software (of course)
Now obviously its a little ways off, but I think that in the days to come there will arise intentional communities (geekhouses, geekblocks, geekcities) who will use precursors to a system like this and it will grow from there to take over the presently too centralized net. In fact- if you would like to come up to arcata, CA (humboldt county) I have a loft (that needs some work) I'd like to use to start a geek house upon this principle and would like to work on starting a cooperative ISP in the area (maybe wireless) The politics around here would be conducive to it, though maybe there are more geeks elsewhere.
Has anyone ever heard of an ISP that doesnt include any services other than dial up. Most especially lacking tech support. My thought is that without the expense of admining multiple servers and paying tech support people service could be provided to the geek niche for a relatively low monthly rate. Add the option of colocating and it would be my ISP of choice. What do you think?
I think the reason that so many of these big-brotherish laws and proposals are being suggested and sometimes passed is obvious. Our system of election is outmoded by technology. In my idealistic opinion technology (roughly defined by me as tools for improved communication)should be used not to subvert the population, but to enpower the population. It certainly is not. The Technology/Knowledge fronteir is being divied up just like the old west. Just as the native Americans were appalled at the idea of land ownership, so too are we of code ownership. Our current governmental structure is a lot like Windows. Its based on ancient technology patched over by a million hands with a million different ideas of what it should do. We need a way to be heard and the power not to be ignored. Else we will find the net divided and large parts of it unsafe from the whims of the corporate owned government. Here is my simple suggestion conceived not by a politician but a hacker: Elect geeks with discussion forums and online voting systems. Using no more technology than we have at our disposal on/. a person could run for office and share the responsibility of leadership with the people. Lets say our geek is in congress and a proposal like the many we have seen recently is brought forth. The geek with his notebook instantly provides the info to his people and they discuss and vote on it. Obviously not everyone can spend all their time watching discussions and voting, but we all have friends who's opinions on these matters we agree with. If our voting responsibility could be temporarily given to one or more people who will have the time to follow the discussion our voice can be heard without constant shouting. Furthurmore many issues will be clear cut enough to be prevoted upon. A little checkbox that says "vote against all expansion of government power" would suffice for me. The obvious problems with my proposal are security and economic availability. I'm no crypto expert, but based only on how scared the government and corporations are of strong crypto I hope I am not wrong in assuming that it would be possible to positively identify a valid voter and prevent ballot box stuffing. As for the 50% of the population that isn't on the net, it seems that one day soon a simple internet access device will be within the budget of anyone. I like this idea:) I don't see why some hip place like berkeley, ca couldnt elect someone with this system soon, but I won't bet on it. For too long we have been controlled and as much as we talk about freedom I haven't seen any drastic action on our part.
Michael@elvisteacup.com
PS- I am in the research stages of writing a work of fiction involving this and many of my other whacky ideas. A work which I will GPL. I would love to chit chat with anyone interested in making this a reality or telling me why it can't be.
Slashdot Mirror
an idea i had which i once mailed to ask slashdot, but which was never posted (not that im bitter:)
given a full duplex stereo soundcard could one write a program to triangulate the 3d position of a microphone from the delays of the known (+distortion) output to two sets of speakers. Obviously there are really only two (left + right) signals, but theoretically it seems possible to me to dicern the third and fourth by their difference in time.
I ask about the practicality of the software: would it be too cpu intensive? is sound input just too noisy to do that kind of math with?
This idea is simply something that occured to me given previous knowledge aquired mostly for free- I take no credit for it and scoff at the idea of patenting it:P
Hmmph, I've had moderator points a couple of times and I usually find nothing I feel strongly about moderating.
Until I dont have any points.
Well, for what its worth I'd moderate this up.
Why? Because its TRUE.
wow, this is the first I've heard about this. Proteins have always struck me (who've never taken an organic chem class) as programs, hardware and software in one, possibly optical in nature- at least analog.
Does anyone informed care to "illucidate"?
a gr8 book btw
would drive prices up? how do you figure, its free 'cept for your own hardware.
heres a brief overview of the specs of the ISP that I'd like to be using.
-Totally decentralized.
-Based on fiber, so bandwidth can be added by adding a new wavelength (hopefully dynamic)
-Addressing is not doled out- it is based on physical location (lat/longitude).
-Pub/Private key based, using physically verified webs of trust and not a central authority.
-Noone owns it- I buy a box and connect it to my neighbors (who are in charge of verifying my identity and making sure I dont masquerade packets)
-Opensourced hardware and software (of course)
Now obviously its a little ways off, but I think that in the days to come there will arise intentional communities (geekhouses, geekblocks, geekcities) who will use precursors to a system like this and it will grow from there to take over the presently too centralized net.
In fact- if you would like to come up to arcata, CA (humboldt county) I have a loft (that needs some work) I'd like to use to start a geek house upon this principle and would like to work on starting a cooperative ISP in the area (maybe wireless) The politics around here would be conducive to it, though maybe there are more geeks elsewhere.
Has anyone ever heard of an ISP that doesnt include any services other than dial up. Most especially lacking tech support. My thought is that without the expense of admining multiple servers and paying tech support people service could be provided to the geek niche for a relatively low monthly rate. Add the option of colocating and it would be my ISP of choice. What do you think?
hey,
/. a person could run for office and share the responsibility of leadership with the people. Lets say our geek is in congress and a proposal like the many we have seen recently is brought forth. The geek with his notebook instantly provides the info to his people and they discuss and vote on it. Obviously not everyone can spend all their time watching discussions and voting, but we all have friends who's opinions on these matters we agree with. If our voting responsibility could be temporarily given to one or more people who will have the time to follow the discussion our voice can be heard without constant shouting. Furthurmore many issues will be clear cut enough to be prevoted upon. A little checkbox that says "vote against all expansion of government power" would suffice for me.
I think the reason that so many of these big-brotherish laws and proposals are being suggested and sometimes passed is obvious. Our system of election is outmoded by technology. In my idealistic opinion technology (roughly defined by me as tools for improved communication)should be used not to subvert the population, but to enpower the population. It certainly is not. The Technology/Knowledge fronteir is being divied up just like the old west. Just as the native Americans were appalled at the idea of land ownership, so too are we of code ownership.
Our current governmental structure is a lot like Windows. Its based on ancient technology patched over by a million hands with a million different ideas of what it should do. We need a way to be heard and the power not to be ignored. Else we will find the net divided and large parts of it unsafe from the whims of the corporate owned government.
Here is my simple suggestion conceived not by a politician but a hacker:
Elect geeks with discussion forums and online voting systems. Using no more technology than we have at our disposal on
The obvious problems with my proposal are security and economic availability. I'm no crypto expert, but based only on how scared the government and corporations are of strong crypto I hope I am not wrong in assuming that it would be possible to positively identify a valid voter and prevent ballot box stuffing.
As for the 50% of the population that isn't on the net, it seems that one day soon a simple internet access device will be within the budget of anyone.
I like this idea:) I don't see why some hip place like berkeley, ca couldnt elect someone with this system soon, but I won't bet on it. For too long we have been controlled and as much as we talk about freedom I haven't seen any drastic action on our part.
Michael@elvisteacup.com
PS- I am in the research stages of writing a work of fiction involving this and many of my other whacky ideas. A work which I will GPL. I would love to chit chat with anyone interested in making this a reality or telling me why it can't be.