I don't know, I just made this up off the top of my head by looking around my apartment (you can guess what shape it's in), but I think Disney's little inventors are looking too much in the direction of luxury, and not enough in the direction of practicality and things that people would really want to help them live their lives more comfortably.
Because practical technology isn't sexy. Entertaining technology is. Speakerphones have been practical for only the last ten years or so, before they were an annoyance for the party not using them (poor audio pickup, half-duplex functionality, no noise cancellation). Yeah, they might have worked back in the 50's house, as long it was in an empty room. But today there's always a stereo or TV or computer making noise in the background (or kids, inside playing XBox rather than going outside). The point is they were luxury technology back then, too.
About the dish washer: Why don't you just do a rinse off of your dishes right after you eat and stick it right into the dishwasher instead of leaving it in the sink. The form factor of standard dishwasher (large box on the floor) is the problem. There are dishwashers that are fit into a drawer-like form, so you don't have to bend down to load them.
I don't understand the point of the automatic thermostat. We already have thermostats that can do heat or A/C without us flipping a switch between the two. Only running when people are in the room? Bringing a room up to temperature all at once is less energy efficient than maintaining a temperature, unless the room is hardly ever used. If we're going to start heating/cooling rooms individually, what was the point of converting to central heating/air to begin with?
If the TV shows I watch were several months behind due to the strike, does this mean that the season will be shifted several months ahead and this summer won't be a graveyard of reruns like it usually is?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. You must be new to this T.V. business.
Visitors will experience the look of tomorrow by watching Disney actors playing a family of four preparing for a trip to China.
Sure sounds realistic. In the future, a trip to a country with an oppressive government like China will look like a vacation compared to the U.S. of that time period.
My only regret is that it's over in time for the Academy Awards. I think not having that ceremony would've sent a strong message to people about silly and over-hyped this whole culture is.
They had agreed awhile back to do the Academy Awards, so it wouldn't have been held as a press conference like the Golden Globes even if the strike had not been resolved.
Wouldn't it be more effective to use the millions (billions?) of dollars you have in the bank to come up with a new business model?
It may be more effective, but it requires actual work on the part of the labels. And if there's one thing executives at large companies don't like to do, it's do the work implied by their job titles.
It's much easier to throw money at the legal department to draft lawsuits and scare consumers, throw money at the R&D department and 3rd party companies to get DRM to add to audio discs (note I didn't call them CDs), or throw money at Congressmen to get laws passed to help you hold on a little while longer instead (a few more years and I can take my Golden Parachute and float down to my next company!).
As Gruber noted [daringfireball.net], that's not really that complicated. It doesn't count as complicated if you can explain it in two sentences.
As much as I like what Gruber says in his blog, in this case he was just being another iPhone fanboi defending Apple. The difference between Nintendo vs. Sony vs. Microsoft is that even if the game discs themselves were the same size (and they weren't with the GameCube) the platforms hardware-wise were not. Comparing the three and asking why they aren't the same is an Apples/Oranges exercise. The iPhone is completely different in that there really is no compatibility difference. The fact you can unlock an iPhone and stick in a T-Mobile SIM is proof of that. The "incompatability" is completely artificial. Yes, there may be a security benefit to it. But honestly, how often do people install random apps from anywhere on their cell phone. I don't need Apple to protect me from malicious software. I'll gladly take the responsibility myself and enjoy usage of the device I paid for.
And Schneier's article itself was filed under "D" in my cabinet (for DUH). The iPhone keeps being trumpeted as some market-changing device for everyone in the wireless food chain. It's not. Except for the unmetered internet access, it really has just been business-as-usual for end users. The only major shift you're seeing is handset makers now asking for subscription kickbacks from carriers on top of their usual deals.
As for conscious lock-in, if you don't want a phone with lock-in, you're free to get one. Enjoy paying twice as much for calls and having a per-call fee.
Talk about from the Patently-False Dept. I own an unlocked phone. I'm on T-Mobile. I'm NOT on contract, and I'm NOT on prepaid. And I pay the same amount as current locked-in customers do.
If I get annoyed at T-Mobile tomorrow I can call and cancel my service and go to AT&T (hahaha), no termination fees.
Here's the secret: You don't play "keeping up with the Joneses" on your phone. And when you're eligible to, you get your phone unlocked, or buy one that isn't locked to begin with.
I think the candidates want as many votes as they can get.
Not really, they just want the majority of votes in a state. If we had a direct democracy then they would be interested in getting as many votes as they could.
So they go for the low hanging fruit and move on to the next state.
However, I don't think that they look at slashdot and go "oh that's where the smart people are. It's not worth trying to sway them with my viewpoints"
That's the catch here, the candidates generally don't have solid viewpoints on anything. Having solid viewpoints means taking sides in arguments, which means you lose the support of everyone whose side you're not deemed "on". That's why they give vague answers to everything, so they can respin their previous statements to suit whatever the sentiment-of-the-week is in the country on an issue.
People have already complained about Ron Paul's response here, because he didn't really answer most of the questions. Of course he didn't! Otherwise he wont be able to say the exact opposite later on if he needs to. That's why the other candidates didn't answer, either. The questions they were sent are written in a way that makes it hard to answer without setting a precedent for their views on issues, and they can tell deflecting by answering an unrelated question wont pass unnoticed here.
It's just not worth the hassle/possible alienation of other voters to them.
If they know the ISP business is going down the tubes, and the advertising/search part is fine, why are they spinning off one knowing it's going to die off. Why don't they just exit the business. Seems like a lot of extra corporate footwork for the same result.
Some analysts say "looming recession", people think "Oh noes" and stop buying stuff/investing => recession.
I was just talking to my mom about that the other week. She said financial analysts were predicting a six month recession. I said I highly doubted the accuracy as financial analysts seem to have trouble even getting their recession predictions accurate, let alone being able to tell how long it would be. She said Wal-Mart's stock was up and the stores were seeing more business, which generally happens during an economic downturn. I proposed the whole thing was manifest destiny (I meant self-fulfilling prophecy, of course). People hear there's going to be a recession, so they begin buying up stock in a discount retail chain, which makes the stock price go up, those same people then point to the rising stock price as evidence they were right and there is a recession coming, ignoring they themselves were responsible for the price increase.
It's like that scene in Sneakers when Cosmo and Martin are talking about making banks fail by spreading rumors of it's instability. People buy into the hype and make it happen.
Instead of some crackpot geek site they'll see it as a forum for a significant amount of voters. Or maybe they just don't think geeks vote:)
Yes, but intelligent people aren't fooled by politics as usual. The candidates want people they can easily manipulate into voting for them with rhetoric or prizes (tax breaks, pork). Not people who they have to impress with actual qualifications and viewpoints on issues they are expected to uphold once in office.
Does that mean they want everyone to install Pre-SP1 and try out the locust-ridden Vista before installing the new SP1 with its signs of remission?
Well, that is one way to get those Pre-SP1 discs out of the retail channel, not to mention computers with OEM install of the original Vista. If I was going to upgrade to Vista and found out that SP1 was out but not available in stores I'd probably wait will the SP1 discs are in stores or on PC's. If we delay the release of SP1 online until after the discs are in stores, people will buy up more of the remaining inventory of discs/computers.
Also, more people will be having to run the online updater (and using WGA) to get the update instead of buying it already included.
On the roof of a house would solve most of those issues, especially if it's got a small ledge around the edge to hide something on the roof from view at the ground level. As far as thievery, chargers need to be designed for that sort of issue. Right now, portability is the driving force behind design. But something in a more rugged enclosure with places to attach security chains, etc would work better. Kinda like an OLPC for solar chargers.
People who live in areas without electricity find ways to charge them. Someone might buy a generator and set up a side business charging phones. Some people have to bike hours to the nearest town with electricity.
Sounds like a golden opportunity for solar battery chargers.
Yet more evidence that the VCR was better. Customers aren't left holding the bag when the parent company fucks up legally.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Don't buy products that depend on a connection to their home company to function or can be remotely controlled.
"This is Microsoft. Lower your board of directors. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance if futile!..."
If they did that, it would lower their income and cut into their profits.
That's assuming they actually close the customer's account or credit for the time out. Some ISPs do not, since the issue is generally a virus or other malware on the customer's PC (in other words, not the ISP's fault).
But you response overall is still correct. If they keep mucking around with the email, they still save money because eventually the customer gets sick of it and gets a Yahoo account instead. Now Comcast is still getting the same $40/month, but without having to provide mail services.
Slashdot Mirror
Because practical technology isn't sexy. Entertaining technology is. Speakerphones have been practical for only the last ten years or so, before they were an annoyance for the party not using them (poor audio pickup, half-duplex functionality, no noise cancellation). Yeah, they might have worked back in the 50's house, as long it was in an empty room. But today there's always a stereo or TV or computer making noise in the background (or kids, inside playing XBox rather than going outside). The point is they were luxury technology back then, too.
About the dish washer: Why don't you just do a rinse off of your dishes right after you eat and stick it right into the dishwasher instead of leaving it in the sink. The form factor of standard dishwasher (large box on the floor) is the problem. There are dishwashers that are fit into a drawer-like form, so you don't have to bend down to load them.
I don't understand the point of the automatic thermostat. We already have thermostats that can do heat or A/C without us flipping a switch between the two. Only running when people are in the room? Bringing a room up to temperature all at once is less energy efficient than maintaining a temperature, unless the room is hardly ever used. If we're going to start heating/cooling rooms individually, what was the point of converting to central heating/air to begin with?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. You must be new to this T.V. business.
Sure sounds realistic. In the future, a trip to a country with an oppressive government like China will look like a vacation compared to the U.S. of that time period.
They had agreed awhile back to do the Academy Awards, so it wouldn't have been held as a press conference like the Golden Globes even if the strike had not been resolved.
"If real is what you can feel, smell, taste and see, then 'real' is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain."
It may be more effective, but it requires actual work on the part of the labels. And if there's one thing executives at large companies don't like to do, it's do the work implied by their job titles.
It's much easier to throw money at the legal department to draft lawsuits and scare consumers, throw money at the R&D department and 3rd party companies to get DRM to add to audio discs (note I didn't call them CDs), or throw money at Congressmen to get laws passed to help you hold on a little while longer instead (a few more years and I can take my Golden Parachute and float down to my next company!).
As much as I like what Gruber says in his blog, in this case he was just being another iPhone fanboi defending Apple. The difference between Nintendo vs. Sony vs. Microsoft is that even if the game discs themselves were the same size (and they weren't with the GameCube) the platforms hardware-wise were not. Comparing the three and asking why they aren't the same is an Apples/Oranges exercise. The iPhone is completely different in that there really is no compatibility difference. The fact you can unlock an iPhone and stick in a T-Mobile SIM is proof of that. The "incompatability" is completely artificial. Yes, there may be a security benefit to it. But honestly, how often do people install random apps from anywhere on their cell phone. I don't need Apple to protect me from malicious software. I'll gladly take the responsibility myself and enjoy usage of the device I paid for.
And Schneier's article itself was filed under "D" in my cabinet (for DUH). The iPhone keeps being trumpeted as some market-changing device for everyone in the wireless food chain. It's not. Except for the unmetered internet access, it really has just been business-as-usual for end users. The only major shift you're seeing is handset makers now asking for subscription kickbacks from carriers on top of their usual deals.
Talk about from the Patently-False Dept. I own an unlocked phone. I'm on T-Mobile. I'm NOT on contract, and I'm NOT on prepaid. And I pay the same amount as current locked-in customers do.
If I get annoyed at T-Mobile tomorrow I can call and cancel my service and go to AT&T (hahaha), no termination fees.
Here's the secret: You don't play "keeping up with the Joneses" on your phone. And when you're eligible to, you get your phone unlocked, or buy one that isn't locked to begin with.
Sadly, I actually saw the word "upgrade" in the summary and had to reread the sentence to make sure of what had actually been written.
Oh, I saw this episode of Lettermen! I believe the list was titled "Things AT&T will never say".
They'll accept the offer, then in 13 years when there's a different Congress they'll have copyright extended again.
Not really, they just want the majority of votes in a state. If we had a direct democracy then they would be interested in getting as many votes as they could.
So they go for the low hanging fruit and move on to the next state.
That's the catch here, the candidates generally don't have solid viewpoints on anything. Having solid viewpoints means taking sides in arguments, which means you lose the support of everyone whose side you're not deemed "on". That's why they give vague answers to everything, so they can respin their previous statements to suit whatever the sentiment-of-the-week is in the country on an issue.
People have already complained about Ron Paul's response here, because he didn't really answer most of the questions. Of course he didn't! Otherwise he wont be able to say the exact opposite later on if he needs to. That's why the other candidates didn't answer, either. The questions they were sent are written in a way that makes it hard to answer without setting a precedent for their views on issues, and they can tell deflecting by answering an unrelated question wont pass unnoticed here.
It's just not worth the hassle/possible alienation of other voters to them.
If they know the ISP business is going down the tubes, and the advertising/search part is fine, why are they spinning off one knowing it's going to die off. Why don't they just exit the business. Seems like a lot of extra corporate footwork for the same result.
I was just talking to my mom about that the other week. She said financial analysts were predicting a six month recession. I said I highly doubted the accuracy as financial analysts seem to have trouble even getting their recession predictions accurate, let alone being able to tell how long it would be. She said Wal-Mart's stock was up and the stores were seeing more business, which generally happens during an economic downturn. I proposed the whole thing was manifest destiny (I meant self-fulfilling prophecy, of course). People hear there's going to be a recession, so they begin buying up stock in a discount retail chain, which makes the stock price go up, those same people then point to the rising stock price as evidence they were right and there is a recession coming, ignoring they themselves were responsible for the price increase.
It's like that scene in Sneakers when Cosmo and Martin are talking about making banks fail by spreading rumors of it's instability. People buy into the hype and make it happen.
Yes, but intelligent people aren't fooled by politics as usual. The candidates want people they can easily manipulate into voting for them with rhetoric or prizes (tax breaks, pork). Not people who they have to impress with actual qualifications and viewpoints on issues they are expected to uphold once in office.
...must have more 0's and not as many 1's.
Well, that is one way to get those Pre-SP1 discs out of the retail channel, not to mention computers with OEM install of the original Vista. If I was going to upgrade to Vista and found out that SP1 was out but not available in stores I'd probably wait will the SP1 discs are in stores or on PC's. If we delay the release of SP1 online until after the discs are in stores, people will buy up more of the remaining inventory of discs/computers.
Also, more people will be having to run the online updater (and using WGA) to get the update instead of buying it already included.
On the roof of a house would solve most of those issues, especially if it's got a small ledge around the edge to hide something on the roof from view at the ground level. As far as thievery, chargers need to be designed for that sort of issue. Right now, portability is the driving force behind design. But something in a more rugged enclosure with places to attach security chains, etc would work better. Kinda like an OLPC for solar chargers.
Sounds like a golden opportunity for solar battery chargers.
It's the only way to get some of those people to go to Church on Super Bowl Sunday.
Yet more evidence that the VCR was better. Customers aren't left holding the bag when the parent company fucks up legally.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Don't buy products that depend on a connection to their home company to function or can be remotely controlled.
"This is Microsoft. Lower your board of directors. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance if futile!..."
that was good
Because then they couldn't call it the "Bird's Nest" stadium.
That's assuming they actually close the customer's account or credit for the time out. Some ISPs do not, since the issue is generally a virus or other malware on the customer's PC (in other words, not the ISP's fault).
But you response overall is still correct. If they keep mucking around with the email, they still save money because eventually the customer gets sick of it and gets a Yahoo account instead. Now Comcast is still getting the same $40/month, but without having to provide mail services.
Don't you find the name of the company slightly ironic and an oxymoron?