This is really cool, but there seem to be some serious limitations. (Yes, I know that's kind of the definition of "prototype.")
"I'm sceptical about their ability to do surveillance for the following reason: no one has solved the power issue."
If you can't monitor what they're doing without being in the same room, then the range is very small. On the other hand, if this could be scaled up to larger animals, perhaps the power would cease to be an issue. However, it does seem like the relative lack of sophistication present in these insects is what allows this control, in part.
"It's not entirely clear how much control a beetle has over its own flight," Hedrick says. "If you've ever seen a beetle flying in the wild, they're not the most graceful insects."
Still, if they can get the surveillance issue figured out, this could represent a significant advance is Search and Rescue -- use insects or small animals to access places that humans can't (collapsed buildings, landslides, etc.)
Having tried a handful of Linux distributions, I personally recommend Ubuntu. The biggest reason why is the Ubuntu Forums.
Read it before you install to check if other people have had compatibility problems with your intended hardware. Read it during install for work-arounds and useful hacks. Read it after you install for any questions you may have. The user base for Ubuntu is very large and knowledgeable. I imagine there are similiar knowledge forums for Gentoo, etc, but I haven't worked with them.
Basically, the Internet is your best friend when using Linux. Read as much as you can about your intended distribution BEFORE you install it. You can save HOURS of headaches!
Not only that, but how would it benefit Microsoft to enlighten the general populace that there are alternatives to Microsoft software? One of the reasons why IE has such a large marketshare is that it comes with Windows. Windows is the dominant OS, and most users simply use the tools provided.
Forcing users to go out and actively download another browser, when they've been using IE for so long, may open their eyes to alternatives. Users may say, "Hey! I have choices for browsers, and they all display the same Internet! I wonder if there are any alternatives to MS Office that can still open my documents?"
It's not my intention to feed the "Microsoft is a bunch of evil monopolists who will stop at nothing for world domination!" trolls, but I simply don't see how it is in Microsoft's best interests to abandon IE. (Although I wish they would for the reasons I have just provided.:) )
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Didn't you RTFA? Lasers are too heavy due to power requirements. Marshmallow launchers, on the other hand...
If you can't monitor what they're doing without being in the same room, then the range is very small. On the other hand, if this could be scaled up to larger animals, perhaps the power would cease to be an issue. However, it does seem like the relative lack of sophistication present in these insects is what allows this control, in part.
Still, if they can get the surveillance issue figured out, this could represent a significant advance is Search and Rescue -- use insects or small animals to access places that humans can't (collapsed buildings, landslides, etc.)
Yeah, or the REALLY ?lucky? person who gets stuck with V 14 GRA
Having tried a handful of Linux distributions, I personally recommend Ubuntu. The biggest reason why is the Ubuntu Forums.
Read it before you install to check if other people have had compatibility problems with your intended hardware. Read it during install for work-arounds and useful hacks. Read it after you install for any questions you may have. The user base for Ubuntu is very large and knowledgeable. I imagine there are similiar knowledge forums for Gentoo, etc, but I haven't worked with them.
Basically, the Internet is your best friend when using Linux. Read as much as you can about your intended distribution BEFORE you install it. You can save HOURS of headaches!
Not only that, but how would it benefit Microsoft to enlighten the general populace that there are alternatives to Microsoft software? One of the reasons why IE has such a large marketshare is that it comes with Windows. Windows is the dominant OS, and most users simply use the tools provided.
Forcing users to go out and actively download another browser, when they've been using IE for so long, may open their eyes to alternatives. Users may say, "Hey! I have choices for browsers, and they all display the same Internet! I wonder if there are any alternatives to MS Office that can still open my documents?"
It's not my intention to feed the "Microsoft is a bunch of evil monopolists who will stop at nothing for world domination!" trolls, but I simply don't see how it is in Microsoft's best interests to abandon IE. (Although I wish they would for the reasons I have just provided. :) )