It's been pretty fricken' obvious to ME for quite a while, that there was a link! I was diagnosed in college, while trying to adapt to civilian life after military service (a nicely regimented/regulated lifestyle). Asperger's and Autism appear to be extreme forms of Dyslexia. I thought I was the lucky one growing up as all my brothers and sisters had dyslexia and I didn't (oops)! The other side of this "luck", was that they were very social and had lots of friends, and I was your basic "ghost", much like the character "Grisom" on CSI.
I decided that I wanted to have fun and be a somewhat "popular" guy after college, so I observed "Alpha Males" and their behaviour and started to emulate certain behaviours. Low and Behold! I wound up with a very attractive wife (my assessment isn't biased, of course:), that also happened to be a degreed electronics tech like me.
Our son was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years of age. He's now 7 yrs old, unable to communicate with speech effectively, and has issues with agression, environmental over-stimulation (sounds), foods (textures), lack of normal sleep patterns (sleeps only 2 hrs a night), and enhanced strength and endurance (normal limits are a learned safty limit, he hasn't learned them). An extensive program of therapy and medication has helped our son live closer to a normal life, but there will always be issues. We have very little doubt that he will eventually live in a structured assisted-living environment.
Other little tid-bits of information: Over 90% of people with Autism are male. Of the less than 10% female population, many have a degenerative form that results in death by their teens. Autism is a spectrum disorder ranging from mild (most engineers/programmers), to severe (much worse than my son, real vegetative states). High intelligence alone doesn't seem to be a factor. It's more high intelligence AND Analytical ability. A very creative and intelligent artist or designer is at low risk, but a data analyst is at higher risk. The cause is entirely genetic/hereditary. Many people think it's an allergy to glutens/immunization/trauma/etc... These can have Autism-like symptoms, but are not Autism and can possibly be reversed through treatment. There is no treatment for Autism at this time. Maybe with gene-therapy and computer-brain implants in the future, but not now.
You're scared to carry a quart of jet fuel? You PUSSY! I carried around LIVE EXPLOSIVE GRENADES STRAPPED to my CHEST. With bravery like yours' it's a wonder we win any military confllicts.
Take an off the shelf cool suit vest with collar and cap (Waterblock) and connect it to a canteen (pump/reservoir), and then to a second cool suit vest(radiator) over your jacket/flackvest (case). You might connect a Peltier cooler, since the temp differential needed shouldn't exceed 50-60 degrees, Farenheit. A rechargable 12VDC pack for the cooler and pump, and you're DONE!
If I say I'm an engineer, can I get a fat gov. contract?
I'm at war with cockroaches. Will it ever end? No. More keep spawning to take the place of those I destroy. The only way to win my war is to remove the conditions where they can live, and thrive.
The "War on Terror" is about power and control, period. The President was a very powerful man, an oil Co. CEO, who jumped to the highest office of one of the most powerful nations on the planet. Who has more power than a President? A President during wartime, when the title, "Commander-in-Chief" carries real power. Who do you have a war with? You don't really want to fight a country that has a descent chance against you, you might lose! But they can't be a pushover, either. That would just be a "Police Action". You need an enemy that stikes fear into the hearts of the people, but is insubstantial like smoke and shadows, or the Bogeyman.
The only way to stop "terrorism" (an ideology), is with propaganda and an opposing ideology. To control the minds of the populace. The easiest way to do that, is to have the people volutarily give up their freedoms, for safety, "for the children" *RETCH!*
So, we have someone who, by his apparent actions, NEEDS power. And circumstances JUST HAPPENED to give him the most undisputed power on the frikkin' planet. He has control over the military, industry, economy, and society, of America. And he is quickly removing the remaining checks and balances on his power.
Are you an American? Then get a clue. According to the Patriot Act that our "representatives" *PTOOEY!* signed into law, all they have to do is say "Homeland Security", and you can be held INDEFINITELY, with NO CHARGES FILED, and NO PUBLIC RECORD, NO REPRESENTATION BY AN ATTORNEY, AND YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE WAIVED!
And that's in a country with a history of being one of the most free and liberal in the world. What do you think normally happens in Slovenia?
How did the land of the free come to resemble Soviet Russia?
I've known WAY to many cops that chose that field of work because 1) they could be bullies and get away with it 2) it's a great way to skim money and drugs off people that can't attack you (the criminals/drug dealers) 3) they couldn't get and keep a real job.
I know there are GOOD cops that care about people and do the best job they know how to do, but they are badly outnumbered by the scum-that-wear-badges.
Most of the people in the military are volunteers that KNOW they can/will be shot at, are under harsh and strict disciplinary controls, subject to double-jeopardy (punished in civilian AND military court seperately for the same crime), and truly care about their families, communities, and country enough to risk their lives performing their duties.
Yes, I was a soldier. And yes, I've had to deal with blue-bellied scum.
So we're finally going to see MS Linux. Huh, never would have thought that they would see the obvious, and remodel Windows to look/act like an effective, stable, OS.
Of course, you still need COM exploits, rootkit security holes, and DRM lockout for "backward compatibility".
Flat-screen documents are NOT just fine, I do a lot of 3-D CAD/CAM work, and the 2-D/3-D interface is the biggest hassle!
I do use a 6 degree-of-freedom input device, which helps a lot, but was very expensive (anyone for a $400 USD mouse?) and I STILL have to use a normal mouse WITH it in my modelling app!
An improved interface and paradigm are desprately needed. Maybe 2-d is all YOU need for simple office apps, but I can guarantee you, it's holding back engineers, architects, artists, mechanics, doctors, dentists, and anyone used to working with 3-D data sets.
Your point about not needing a 3-D interface for SIMPLE apps is not lost on me (yes, compared to a stress analysis, your stupid powerpoint document is DEAD SIMPLE). Just because you have a 3-D interface device doesn't mean you have to use it as such all the time. Just project a flat surface into your interface to use as a "standard desktop". There you go. Now you don't have to learn anything new to operate your computer.
When I attended the Army Computer Science School in '91, we had full 3-D immersive GAMES setup at the snackbar! No glasses, no headsets! We just KNEW the next generation of systems were going to be 3-D! What happened? Who didn't do their job? Was it the public, who didn't demand 3-D because they didn't know about it? Was it the engineers, who didn't think it was needed outside of games? Who?
You are correct. Mass transit is only feasible in areas with a certain minimum population density. Most of America (most of the Western Hemisphere for that matter) fall far below any acceptable density level, save for medium to large urban areas.
Transit between these urban areas would be economical using trains, except America is ripping out its' rail system as fast as possible in response to pressure from the trucking/transportation/energy industry. That still doesn't address transportation issues in rural, agrarian districs.
I've never recommended IT to anyone, not since 1991...
I graduated from the Army Comp Sci School as a SysAdm, Distinguished Honor Grad - 98.3 GPA, and I couldn't find a job after the service. I bummed around a while, did some construction work, wood shop, temp, etc...
When I finally went back to school I DIDN'T go for IT.
I went for electronics, more technical, fewer students (a lot fewer!) and more fields to work in. Now I'm back in school going for another degree - Machine Tool Technology. Otherwise called CNC. Everyone was asking if I had any experience in it, so I decided to get it!
I still get to play with computers and networking, but I don't have to deal with any PHBs (yet).
I stop by the IT classroom sometimes, and I see them getting grilled in basic help desk stuff, with very few students (only the advanced ones) are getting trained in Linux Administration.
The days of any purely IT/programmers making 6 figure incomes are generally over. Now we're going to start seeing the integration of Comp Sci skills into other fields, i.e. computational physics, bioinformatics, security, etc...
IT CAREERS are few and getting fewer, IT SKILLS to supplement other fields are in demand and are going to be even more necessary in the future. What's a PHB going to do? Hire some IT guru he can't intimi^H^H^H^H^H^H contro^H^H^H^H^H^H impress, or pile the admin duties on some underling that can do it? It'll become part of the skillset of the modern office worker, liking making coffee.
I agree with your sentiments about the "flat-lands". We moved our family completely out of the state, and have no intentions of ever returning if we can help it. The entire psychological atmosphere of the state and local governments is harsh, "take-care-of-yourself-or-leave", elitist, and generally unkind.
Mustn't forget closed-minded, er... I mean "religously fundamental". Naw, screw it. They were f*cking freaks building planes and raising cows. Half the population are convinced God loves only them and their way of life, and shows it by making them live in a state with a brutal environment. The other half are degreed professionals with six-figure incomes, and condescendingly tolerate everyone else because they are badly outnumbered.
I have good memories of a few people that I met there (they were all from other states also), but we have NO good feelings toward the state as a whole. Period.
I learned to think for myself by reading SF (I miss Robert Heinlein!)and learning technology. The schools in America aren't designed to "teach". They are designed to act as priso^H^H^H^H^H day-cares to keep kids out of the way of the adults. Note how severely they treat truancy, there's a reason for that!
The only tools I know of that would work for that are: 1) HP Measuring reciever ($50K) 2)Spectrum analyzer with directional antenna (~$20K for a real nice one) 3)reciever tuned to 2.4 GHz and direction finding antenna (cheapest bet).
Check with the local hams. Someone probably has gear that will do the trick, and will have the know-how and experience to come out and do it for you.
I currently reside in BFE, Missouri (What a coincidence). The best transfer rate I can get is 22K modem (That's K!! Not M!!!) All the major carriers say that I won't live long enough to see THEM bring broadband out here.
I'm 39.
I did talk to someone in the closest town (24 miles away) about wireless broadband. He checked the topo maps and said I only need to get a 250 ft tower. A $60/mo. service plan for a year and I'm good to go. Of course, I should get the 'net for free for a couple of years, given what a tower that size runs (tens of thousands of dollars).
Anyone have ideas on how I can affordably get faster speeds that a carrier pidgeon?
Make the key a series of pictures with a random sequence in the EXIF data. People remember faces better than names, right? Let me pick faces then. Give me a choice of blondes (computer generated of course) with no names or other identification, and then I pick a couple in the proper sequence, and the system unlocks/decrypts. Simple, yes?
Why has no one built such a system in the last 30 years? It's so simple only a moron would use it? Looks like we have a whole lot of morons around here.
Guess I'd better figure out Java or Python and get started writing.
Years ago (late '80s or early '90s, yeah I'm freakin' ancient, get over it), I read a blurb about a method that was tested with sectretaries going on maternity leave. They replaced their normal password system with one where photos of peoples faces were choosen instead. The majority remembered the sequence after returning from their 3 montth absence, compared with almost none remembering their passwords.
And the photos added another element of security,"No, not that red-headed babe, the other red-headed babe":) I imagine the secretaries went "not that hunk, the other one"!
With everyone using GUIs nowadays, why hasn't anyone developed this further?
Only if you consider digital operation a special case of analog (full off, or saturation). I've seen some very high end digital audio amps that kept the audio a high voltage "digital" signal clear to the speaker coils. The coil acted as an integrator, converting the PWM signal into analog, just like a DAC. You had to have a very good speaker though, because it was going to get hammered.
Fiberglass insulation isn't very good for very many years. During hot/cold weather the temperature gradient through the wall usually has the dewpoint located somewhere in the middle of the insulation. This means that the insulation becomes waterlogged rather quickly as the moisture is wicked throughout the layer. Waterlogged material provides no insulation (it's six times more thermally conductive than air, just ask anyone with a water-cooled computer). The only decent insulator is one that resists driving wind, and is hydrophobic (water repelling). This usually limits choices to foam of some kind (boards, or cast-in-place), or unusual materials (concrete with an admixture of perlite). I'm sure I'm going to get flamed but, what the hell!
There have been several cardboard domes built, starting in the 70's. A list of websites about these follows. There is one article that gives detailed photos and discussion on construction.
There are several different ways of getting to a functional nano assembler, and one of the current favorites is taking parts of functioning devices (virii and bacteria) and reassemble them into desired configurations.
The only difference between a "nano" device and a virus is who designed it, Dr. Putz or Mother Nature, (Mom built hers using trial and error, lots of "bugs").
It seems that the only thing that the Smart has going for it is PR hype.
Some of the ideas are sound, but I'm not sure how well they are implimented. Most of the ideas aren't new, and are indicated by basic physics and experience.
You want a car that handles like a sports/racer and gets good fuel economy? Make it small and light and put a small, fast engine in it for a high power-to-weight ratio (motorcycle engines are damn-near F1 knockoffs and cheap as dirt).
The fewer powered accessories in the vehicle, the less engine/fuel needed to power them (a small car doesn't need power steering, brakes, windows, or AC - the McLaren F1 doesn't have them either).
If you really want to knock off even more power-robbing weight and complexity, drop the rear tranny and one of the rear wheel assemblies, make it a three wheeler. You lose almost a third of the rotating inertia of the entire drivetrain!
Add some smarts to the control system. A large part of the expense and complexity of the modern automobile is the custom control electronics used to lock in the customer to the original manufacturer for repair parts. You can drop a lot of the expense by using standard of-the-shelf systems. A fast PDA could easily handle most of the control functions in a small car, and act as a removable instrument cluster/electronic key, and look! You've got a PDA also!
"Space frames" are a well-known technology. Every shade-tree mechanic that's built a dirt-track racer or demolition vehicle can build one. A well built frame is very strong and stiff, but heavy. A more appropriate technology is a stressed-skin monocoque filled with crush resistant honeycomb (like cardboard) or foam beads.
The use of changable panels, simplification of design, and cheap parts, have all been used before... in commodity goods.
These vehicles aren't meant to be "investments", they are commodity goods, like toasters, blenders, PC's and TV's.
These vehicles all have some traits in common: small, light, and look like kids go-carts trimmed out to look like their parents real cars.
Note to people that like bashing Americans: If you had to grow up in our society, with our history, with our government and laws, you would be us. After all, where do you think we came from?
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It's been pretty fricken' obvious to ME for quite a while, that there was a link! I was diagnosed in college, while trying to adapt to civilian life after military service (a nicely regimented/regulated lifestyle). Asperger's and Autism appear to be extreme forms of Dyslexia. I thought I was the lucky one growing up as all my brothers and sisters had dyslexia and I didn't (oops)! The other side of this "luck", was that they were very social and had lots of friends, and I was your basic "ghost", much like the character "Grisom" on CSI.
:), that also happened to be a degreed electronics tech like me.
I decided that I wanted to have fun and be a somewhat "popular" guy after college, so I observed "Alpha Males" and their behaviour and started to emulate certain behaviours. Low and Behold! I wound up with a very attractive wife (my assessment isn't biased, of course
Our son was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years of age. He's now 7 yrs old, unable to communicate with speech effectively, and has issues with agression, environmental over-stimulation (sounds), foods (textures), lack of normal sleep patterns (sleeps only 2 hrs a night), and enhanced strength and endurance (normal limits are a learned safty limit, he hasn't learned them). An extensive program of therapy and medication has helped our son live closer to a normal life, but there will always be issues. We have very little doubt that he will eventually live in a structured assisted-living environment.
Other little tid-bits of information: Over 90% of people with Autism are male. Of the less than 10% female population, many have a degenerative form that results in death by their teens. Autism is a spectrum disorder ranging from mild (most engineers/programmers), to severe (much worse than my son, real vegetative states). High intelligence alone doesn't seem to be a factor. It's more high intelligence AND Analytical ability. A very creative and intelligent artist or designer is at low risk, but a data analyst is at higher risk. The cause is entirely genetic/hereditary. Many people think it's an allergy to glutens/immunization/trauma/etc... These can have Autism-like symptoms, but are not Autism and can possibly be reversed through treatment. There is no treatment for Autism at this time. Maybe with gene-therapy and computer-brain implants in the future, but not now.
That would let all little Susies' games run, and be free of the "Microsoft Tax".
You're scared to carry a quart of jet fuel? You PUSSY! I carried around LIVE EXPLOSIVE GRENADES STRAPPED to my CHEST. With bravery like yours' it's a wonder we win any military confllicts.
Imagine a beowulf cluster of these.
But does it run Linux?
In Soviet Russia...
1)?
2)?
3)Profit!
See my Karma Whoring Sig!
Anti-Microsoft! Pro-Linux!
Are we done, yet?
Take an off the shelf cool suit vest with collar and cap (Waterblock) and connect it to a canteen (pump/reservoir), and then to a second cool suit vest(radiator) over your jacket/flackvest (case). You might connect a Peltier cooler, since the temp differential needed shouldn't exceed 50-60 degrees, Farenheit. A rechargable 12VDC pack for the cooler and pump, and you're DONE!
If I say I'm an engineer, can I get a fat gov. contract?
I'm at war with cockroaches. Will it ever end? No. More keep spawning to take the place of those I destroy. The only way to win my war is to remove the conditions where they can live, and thrive.
The "War on Terror" is about power and control, period. The President was a very powerful man, an oil Co. CEO, who jumped to the highest office of one of the most powerful nations on the planet. Who has more power than a President? A President during wartime, when the title, "Commander-in-Chief" carries real power. Who do you have a war with? You don't really want to fight a country that has a descent chance against you, you might lose! But they can't be a pushover, either. That would just be a "Police Action". You need an enemy that stikes fear into the hearts of the people, but is insubstantial like smoke and shadows, or the Bogeyman.
The only way to stop "terrorism" (an ideology), is with propaganda and an opposing ideology. To control the minds of the populace. The easiest way to do that, is to have the people volutarily give up their freedoms, for safety, "for the children" *RETCH!*
So, we have someone who, by his apparent actions, NEEDS power. And circumstances JUST HAPPENED to give him the most undisputed power on the frikkin' planet. He has control over the military, industry, economy, and society, of America. And he is quickly removing the remaining checks and balances on his power.
The world is in serious peril.
DAMN! I need to quit listening to talk radio!
Are you an American? Then get a clue. According to the Patriot Act that our "representatives" *PTOOEY!* signed into law, all they have to do is say "Homeland Security", and you can be held INDEFINITELY, with NO CHARGES FILED, and NO PUBLIC RECORD, NO REPRESENTATION BY AN ATTORNEY, AND YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE WAIVED!
And that's in a country with a history of being one of the most free and liberal in the world. What do you think normally happens in Slovenia?
How did the land of the free come to resemble Soviet Russia?
DAMN! I haven't heard a political rant like that since the self-righteous '60s!
I've known WAY to many cops that chose that field of work because 1) they could be bullies and get away with it 2) it's a great way to skim money and drugs off people that can't attack you (the criminals/drug dealers) 3) they couldn't get and keep a real job.
I know there are GOOD cops that care about people and do the best job they know how to do, but they are badly outnumbered by the scum-that-wear-badges.
Most of the people in the military are volunteers that KNOW they can/will be shot at, are under harsh and strict disciplinary controls, subject to double-jeopardy (punished in civilian AND military court seperately for the same crime), and truly care about their families, communities, and country enough to risk their lives performing their duties.
Yes, I was a soldier. And yes, I've had to deal with blue-bellied scum.
I used to have one... for my Commodore 64! Worked great.
So we're finally going to see MS Linux. Huh, never would have thought that they would see the obvious, and remodel Windows to look/act like an effective, stable, OS.
Of course, you still need COM exploits, rootkit security holes, and DRM lockout for "backward compatibility".
Flat-screen documents are NOT just fine, I do a lot of 3-D CAD/CAM work, and the 2-D/3-D interface is the biggest hassle!
I do use a 6 degree-of-freedom input device, which helps a lot, but was very expensive (anyone for a $400 USD mouse?) and I STILL have to use a normal mouse WITH it in my modelling app!
An improved interface and paradigm are desprately needed. Maybe 2-d is all YOU need for simple office apps, but I can guarantee you, it's holding back engineers, architects, artists, mechanics, doctors, dentists, and anyone used to working with 3-D data sets.
Your point about not needing a 3-D interface for SIMPLE apps is not lost on me (yes, compared to a stress analysis, your stupid powerpoint document is DEAD SIMPLE). Just because you have a 3-D interface device doesn't mean you have to use it as such all the time. Just project a flat surface into your interface to use as a "standard desktop". There you go. Now you don't have to learn anything new to operate your computer.
When I attended the Army Computer Science School in '91, we had full 3-D immersive GAMES setup at the snackbar! No glasses, no headsets! We just KNEW the next generation of systems were going to be 3-D! What happened? Who didn't do their job? Was it the public, who didn't demand 3-D because they didn't know about it? Was it the engineers, who didn't think it was needed outside of games? Who?
You are correct. Mass transit is only feasible in areas with a certain minimum population density. Most of America (most of the Western Hemisphere for that matter) fall far below any acceptable density level, save for medium to large urban areas.
Transit between these urban areas would be economical using trains, except America is ripping out its' rail system as fast as possible in response to pressure from the trucking/transportation/energy industry. That still doesn't address transportation issues in rural, agrarian districs.
I've never recommended IT to anyone, not since 1991...
I graduated from the Army Comp Sci School as a SysAdm, Distinguished Honor Grad - 98.3 GPA, and I couldn't find a job after the service. I bummed around a while, did some construction work, wood shop, temp, etc...
When I finally went back to school I DIDN'T go for IT.
I went for electronics, more technical, fewer students (a lot fewer!) and more fields to work in. Now I'm back in school going for another degree - Machine Tool Technology. Otherwise called CNC. Everyone was asking if I had any experience in it, so I decided to get it!
I still get to play with computers and networking, but I don't have to deal with any PHBs (yet).
I stop by the IT classroom sometimes, and I see them getting grilled in basic help desk stuff, with very few students (only the advanced ones) are getting trained in Linux Administration.
The days of any purely IT/programmers making 6 figure incomes are generally over. Now we're going to start seeing the integration of Comp Sci skills into other fields, i.e. computational physics, bioinformatics, security, etc...
IT CAREERS are few and getting fewer, IT SKILLS to supplement other fields are in demand and are going to be even more necessary in the future. What's a PHB going to do? Hire some IT guru he can't intimi^H^H^H^H^H^H contro^H^H^H^H^H^H impress, or pile the admin duties on some underling that can do it? It'll become part of the skillset of the modern office worker, liking making coffee.
I agree with your sentiments about the "flat-lands". We moved our family completely out of the state, and have no intentions of ever returning if we can help it. The entire psychological atmosphere of the state and local governments is harsh, "take-care-of-yourself-or-leave", elitist, and generally unkind. Mustn't forget closed-minded, er... I mean "religously fundamental". Naw, screw it. They were f*cking freaks building planes and raising cows. Half the population are convinced God loves only them and their way of life, and shows it by making them live in a state with a brutal environment. The other half are degreed professionals with six-figure incomes, and condescendingly tolerate everyone else because they are badly outnumbered. I have good memories of a few people that I met there (they were all from other states also), but we have NO good feelings toward the state as a whole. Period. I learned to think for myself by reading SF (I miss Robert Heinlein!)and learning technology. The schools in America aren't designed to "teach". They are designed to act as priso^H^H^H^H^H day-cares to keep kids out of the way of the adults. Note how severely they treat truancy, there's a reason for that!
The only tools I know of that would work for that are: 1) HP Measuring reciever ($50K) 2)Spectrum analyzer with directional antenna (~$20K for a real nice one) 3)reciever tuned to 2.4 GHz and direction finding antenna (cheapest bet).
Check with the local hams. Someone probably has gear that will do the trick, and will have the know-how and experience to come out and do it for you.
That's the cheapest way right there.
I currently reside in BFE, Missouri (What a coincidence). The best transfer rate I can get is 22K modem (That's K!! Not M!!!) All the major carriers say that I won't live long enough to see THEM bring broadband out here.
I'm 39.
I did talk to someone in the closest town (24 miles away) about wireless broadband. He checked the topo maps and said I only need to get a 250 ft tower. A $60/mo. service plan for a year and I'm good to go.
Of course, I should get the 'net for free for a couple of years, given what a tower that size runs (tens of thousands of dollars).
Anyone have ideas on how I can affordably get faster speeds that a carrier pidgeon?
Make the key a series of pictures with a random sequence in the EXIF data. People remember faces better than names, right? Let me pick faces then. Give me a choice of blondes (computer generated of course) with no names or other identification, and then I pick a couple in the proper sequence, and the system unlocks/decrypts. Simple, yes? Why has no one built such a system in the last 30 years? It's so simple only a moron would use it? Looks like we have a whole lot of morons around here. Guess I'd better figure out Java or Python and get started writing.
Years ago (late '80s or early '90s, yeah I'm freakin' ancient, get over it), I read a blurb about a method that was tested with sectretaries going on maternity leave. They replaced their normal password system with one where photos of peoples faces were choosen instead. The majority remembered the sequence after returning from their 3 montth absence, compared with almost none remembering their passwords.
:) I imagine the secretaries went "not that hunk, the other one"!
And the photos added another element of security,"No, not that red-headed babe, the other red-headed babe"
With everyone using GUIs nowadays, why hasn't anyone developed this further?
Only if you consider digital operation a special case of analog (full off, or saturation). I've seen some very high end digital audio amps that kept the audio a high voltage "digital" signal clear to the speaker coils. The coil acted as an integrator, converting the PWM signal into analog, just like a DAC. You had to have a very good speaker though, because it was going to get hammered.
Fiberglass insulation isn't very good for very many years. During hot/cold weather the temperature gradient through the wall usually has the dewpoint located somewhere in the middle of the insulation. This means that the insulation becomes waterlogged rather quickly as the moisture is wicked throughout the layer. Waterlogged material provides no insulation (it's six times more thermally conductive than air, just ask anyone with a water-cooled computer). The only decent insulator is one that resists driving wind, and is hydrophobic (water repelling). This usually limits choices to foam of some kind (boards, or cast-in-place), or unusual materials (concrete with an admixture of perlite). I'm sure I'm going to get flamed but, what the hell!
There have been several cardboard domes built, starting in the 70's. A list of websites about these follows. There is one article that gives detailed photos and discussion on construction.
u lptors.com/~salsbury/domeparty.h tmlt tp://reality.sculptors.com/~salsbury/Synergy/Syn ergy-Ball-Article.htmlu t-of-context/out-detail. cfm?out_id=52/ 4970/
h ttp://www.motherearthnews.com/arc/3229/
http://www.monkeyc.org/dome/
http://reality.sc
http://www.lowendmac.com/lab/04/0225.html
h
http://www.mikedust.com/o
http://www.motherearthnews.com/arc
http://www.motherearthnews.com/arc/4366/
It's called "biology".
There are several different ways of getting to a functional nano assembler, and one of the current favorites is taking parts of functioning devices (virii and bacteria) and reassemble them into desired configurations.
The only difference between a "nano" device and a virus is who designed it, Dr. Putz or Mother Nature, (Mom built hers using trial and error, lots of "bugs").
It seems that the only thing that the Smart has going for it is PR hype.
Some of the ideas are sound, but I'm not sure how well they are implimented. Most of the ideas aren't new, and are indicated by basic physics and experience.
You want a car that handles like a sports/racer and gets good fuel economy? Make it small and light and put a small, fast engine in it for a high power-to-weight ratio (motorcycle engines are damn-near F1 knockoffs and cheap as dirt).
The fewer powered accessories in the vehicle, the less engine/fuel needed to power them (a small car doesn't need power steering, brakes, windows, or AC - the McLaren F1 doesn't have them either).
If you really want to knock off even more power-robbing weight and complexity, drop the rear tranny and one of the rear wheel assemblies, make it a three wheeler. You lose almost a third of the rotating inertia of the entire drivetrain!
Add some smarts to the control system. A large part of the expense and complexity of the modern automobile is the custom control electronics used to lock in the customer to the original manufacturer for repair parts. You can drop a lot of the expense by using standard of-the-shelf systems. A fast PDA could easily handle most of the control functions in a small car, and act as a removable instrument cluster/electronic key, and look! You've got a PDA also!
"Space frames" are a well-known technology. Every shade-tree mechanic that's built a dirt-track racer or demolition vehicle can build one. A well built frame is very strong and stiff, but heavy. A more appropriate technology is a stressed-skin monocoque filled with crush resistant honeycomb (like cardboard) or foam beads.
The use of changable panels, simplification of design, and cheap parts, have all been used before... in commodity goods.
These vehicles aren't meant to be "investments", they are commodity goods, like toasters, blenders, PC's and TV's.
These vehicles all have some traits in common: small, light, and look like kids go-carts trimmed out to look like their parents real cars.
Some other sport vehicles are:
Campagna T-Rex http://www.go-t-rex.com/
Norton Shrike http://unitas.lunarpages.com/~norton2/shrike.htm
Tri-Magnum http://www.rqriley.com/index.html
Vortex http://www.vortexplans.com/
The Indycycle http://www.indycycle.net/
Grinnall Scorpion http://www.grinnallcars.com/
Note to people that like bashing Americans: If you had to grow up in our society, with our history, with our government and laws, you would be us. After all, where do you think we came from?
Who the FUCK Moderated this GOD DAMNED TROLL Insightful!! Moderate him -20 off-topic!