Hi Ray,
Sorry to be so critical.
I grew up reading your works and they have greatly influenced my attitudes.
That being said, at a bare minimum, the Internet is the worlds largest and most accessible library.
As with every new communications medium, it comes with a learning curve and a maturity necessity.
I grew up in a lower income family and took large advantage of the public library system.
Denouncing the Internet as a "distraction" is either a sign of ignorance or stubbornness.
By creating the ability of everyone with access (yes, that is a whole other debate) to have access to all information best promotes the dissemination of information, which (correct me if I'm wrong) is the essence the library system.
I truly empathize with your associates and their employment status.
Yet, would not using the "Ask Slashdot" forum be considered legitimate research?
How many books, research papers, thesis, man pages, header files, etc. have you studied
only formulate a solution based on your perspective/perception of the research?
Is not the solution at least partially yours?
And what is wrong is utilizing a successful solution to further your career? (That's gonna come back to bite me!)
From an academic perspective, the same process is used to further research.
Why not approach this from a different angle?
Instead of using the closed system approach currently being utilized,
keep going with the "Open" method you are attempting to use.
The first thing that comes to mind is to use WiFi (802.11 a, b, or g) as the receiver.
This will keep the delivery systems open to laptops, PDA's, etc.
There are also Wifi capable "clickers" available.
A growing number of students are using laptops as a standard tool.
Why not let those students have a small application that allows selections.
The "clicker" units can still be used and available to students who can not or do not
wish to carry a laptop or PDA.
This solves the range problem, receiving hardware is very inexpensive,
and I'm sure with a large enough quantity the "clicker" price will drop to a very reasonable level.
MAC addresses can be used as the ID, though I would not recommend forgoing authentication.
A nice side effect is fewer pieces of equipment students have to worry about.
Adding bluetooth receivers would also allow a wider range of PDA's and some cell phones too.
Slashdot Mirror
I agree, just eBay it and use the $$ to build what you really want.
Who ever was the original poster deserves a good thrashing! Not saying that Lifeguards are not capable, but this was not a group of lifeguards!
Hi Ray, Sorry to be so critical. I grew up reading your works and they have greatly influenced my attitudes. That being said, at a bare minimum, the Internet is the worlds largest and most accessible library. As with every new communications medium, it comes with a learning curve and a maturity necessity. I grew up in a lower income family and took large advantage of the public library system. Denouncing the Internet as a "distraction" is either a sign of ignorance or stubbornness. By creating the ability of everyone with access (yes, that is a whole other debate) to have access to all information best promotes the dissemination of information, which (correct me if I'm wrong) is the essence the library system.
Should this not be titled: Why TV is "Losing"?
I truly empathize with your associates and their employment status.
Yet, would not using the "Ask Slashdot" forum be considered legitimate research?
How many books, research papers, thesis, man pages, header files, etc. have you studied only formulate a solution based on your perspective/perception of the research?
Is not the solution at least partially yours?
And what is wrong is utilizing a successful solution to further your career?
(That's gonna come back to bite me!)
From an academic perspective, the same process is used to further research.
Why not approach this from a different angle?
Instead of using the closed system approach currently being utilized,
keep going with the "Open" method you are attempting to use.
The first thing that comes to mind is to use WiFi (802.11 a, b, or g) as the receiver.
This will keep the delivery systems open to laptops, PDA's, etc.
There are also Wifi capable "clickers" available.
A growing number of students are using laptops as a standard tool.
Why not let those students have a small application that allows selections.
The "clicker" units can still be used and available to students who can not or do not wish to carry a laptop or PDA.
This solves the range problem, receiving hardware is very inexpensive,
and I'm sure with a large enough quantity the "clicker" price will drop to a very reasonable level.
MAC addresses can be used as the ID, though I would not recommend forgoing authentication.
A nice side effect is fewer pieces of equipment students have to worry about.
Adding bluetooth receivers would also allow a wider range of PDA's and some cell phones too.