Actually, if you had taken that $30k for the Volvo and instead invested in Tesla stock, you could now afford a Tesla and keep your original $30k investment.
It's amusing to think about: By letting Tesla borrow $30k for a few months, they reward you with one of their cars.
Which happens to also (statisitically speaking) increase your lifespan by reducing the odds that you'll die in a car accident.
Fire Hazard. If there were an emergency and the power went out, the last thing you want is haphazarly placed immobile objects (in the dark, no less) slowing you down on your way out the door.
Our system has detected that you are using an unlicenced copy of the game "First Life". Please discontinue use of "First Life" or it may be subjected to automatic termination in accordance with the EULA.
Remember, you are always welcome to try out our shareware version "First Gestation" for free for up to nine months.
Of course they dropped the case. Now that the Pirate Bay servers operate out of North Korea, it's out of Swedish jurisdiction. Plus, they probably don't want to provoke the wrath of Kim "I've got nukes!" Jong-Il...
Unless you can't use the software that is available with your camera. If all you have to work with is a PDA or even an OLPC laptop, you'll be glad to offload the processing to a server.
I remember when freedom wasn't quite so complicated and obfuscated. With things getting so verbose and convoluted, more people will probably eschew things like GPLv3 just to keep things unpretentious.
Instead of trying to fix it in the patent office (which would be near impossible, although it would certainly help) I think the system would be better fixed in the courts. Just pass legislation that says "If a patent holder sues an alleged infringer for $X and loses, the winner is entitled to an award of $X from the loser."
This would automatically place a reality check on the award amounts, and even reduce the number of patent cases brought into court in the first place. It'd be like betting on your odds of success in the courtroom, balancing out the risk/reward ratio for patent trolls.
"I know what you're thinking. 'Did he file six patents or only five?' Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a high profile patent case, with the most powerful legal team in the world, and would blow your business into bankruptcy, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"
I respectfully disagree. The notion of "pay cash money" doesn't make too much sense when this option would/should actually save cash money.
Also, the competence required to run Linux is no longer astronomical. This past weekend, I installed PuppyLinux on my grandfather's laptop because the Windows XP install my dad did was too slow to be usable. I pointed out the icons to click to run various apps and he was quite pleased (especially with the speed boost). It would be nice to fix family computer problems in one broad stroke by saying "Just buy the Linux version". Anyone who wants more than what Linux can offer (like high end games) will be competent enough to overwrite it with a Windows install or set up dual boot---or just buy the Windows option and not need family tech support.
In other news, it has recently been revealed that several centuries ago, cartographers actively sold maps to seafaring pirates. Legal proceedings have revealed that many well-respected mapmakers have been implicated as enablers for these pirates. Amerigo Vespucci was not available for comment, but it is suspected that this turn of events will tarnish his name...
At first I though "disabilities" referred to mental state, etc. that came about from poor allocation of character points and experience points in First Life. However, the article talks mostly about physically handicapped players, for which there is a simple fix. If you've taken on too much damage in First Life, just start playing Second Life. I've heard that if you select your initial character type as "cat", you can repeat the procedure all the way up to Ninth Life.
Actually, it might work to just stipulate the award money in advance, and then whichever side loses the patent suit would be required to pay out that amount to the winner. If you *know* that your patent is being infringed and that it will hold up, then go for the big dollars because they are rightly yours. However, if there is even a shadow of a doubt that there might be prior art or something else that would invalidate your patent, then patent trolls will think twice before adding a few zeros to the damages they seek.
The fundamental problem is that the potential cost of losing is so low that it is becoming commoditized, which is why we're starting to see patents being bought and sold in bulk.
Something I was wondering in general (but which might apply well for OLPC laptops due to the lower processing power) is if it would be feasible to implement a multicomputer parallel processing capability. That is, use the mesh network to divide processing between multiple laptops, based on a language like Erlang (if it requires substantial changes or simplification maybe give it a new name like IntErlang). I imagine it would use a BitTorrent approach to managing jobs and transferring data, and the connected laptops each run a safe process that handles computation & calculation (like is done with SETI@home).
Doing all this would seem to create a virtual community-based supercomputer, but I don't know enough to identify if there are any showstoppers.
Although my understanding is that if you do enough video editing, even your mindless hammerings on a guitar can be transformed into music that gets posted to Slashdot.
They can't sell copies of Windows XP for the same cost because of the physical media involved...I reckon it takes an extra ten cents to print a nifty genuine hologram, and $36.40 goes to the RIAA because someone might figure out how to use the CD to pirate music.
I'll nominate Settlers of Catan as well. My parents have it (with the 6 person expansion), as does my sister, and I know my parents are getting it for me for Christmas (at my request). It does have a hefty price tag (I think $40 just for the basic 4 player version), but when you factor in how much it gets played, it's well worth it.
IN A.D. 2006 WAR WAS BEGINNING. Kim: WHAT HAPPEN? Mechanic: SOMEBODY SET UP US THE BAN. Operator: WE GET EMBARGO. Kim: WHAT!! Operator: VIDEO IPOD TURN ON. Kim: IT'S YOU!! Bush: HOW ARE YOU GENTLEMEN!! Bush: ALL YOUR IPOD ARE BELONG TO US. Bush: YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO BOREDOM. Dictator Kim: WHAT YOU SAY!! Bush: YOU HAVE NO CHANCE TO PRESS PLAY MAKE YOUR TIME. Bush: HA HA HA HA.... Operator: DICTATOR! Kim: TAKE OFF EVERY 'MP3'!! Kim: YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DOING. Kim: MOVE 'ITUNES'. Kim: FOR GREAT JUSTICE
Slashdot Mirror
Actually, if you had taken that $30k for the Volvo and instead invested in Tesla stock, you could now afford a Tesla and keep your original $30k investment.
It's amusing to think about: By letting Tesla borrow $30k for a few months, they reward you with one of their cars.
Which happens to also (statisitically speaking) increase your lifespan by reducing the odds that you'll die in a car accident.
Fire Hazard. If there were an emergency and the power went out, the last thing you want is haphazarly placed immobile objects (in the dark, no less) slowing you down on your way out the door.
It is all for nothing if you don't have a dramatic hamster...
DMCA Takedown Request
Our system has detected that you are using an unlicenced copy of the game "First Life". Please discontinue use of "First Life" or it may be subjected to automatic termination in accordance with the EULA.
Remember, you are always welcome to try out our shareware version "First Gestation" for free for up to nine months.
Of course they dropped the case. Now that the Pirate Bay servers operate out of North Korea, it's out of Swedish jurisdiction. Plus, they probably don't want to provoke the wrath of Kim "I've got nukes!" Jong-Il...
Unless you can't use the software that is available with your camera. If all you have to work with is a PDA or even an OLPC laptop, you'll be glad to offload the processing to a server.
I remember when freedom wasn't quite so complicated and obfuscated. With things getting so verbose and convoluted, more people will probably eschew things like GPLv3 just to keep things unpretentious.
Instead of trying to fix it in the patent office (which would be near impossible, although it would certainly help) I think the system would be better fixed in the courts. Just pass legislation that says "If a patent holder sues an alleged infringer for $X and loses, the winner is entitled to an award of $X from the loser."
This would automatically place a reality check on the award amounts, and even reduce the number of patent cases brought into court in the first place. It'd be like betting on your odds of success in the courtroom, balancing out the risk/reward ratio for patent trolls.
"I know what you're thinking. 'Did he file six patents or only five?' Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a high profile patent case, with the most powerful legal team in the world, and would blow your business into bankruptcy, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"
I respectfully disagree. The notion of "pay cash money" doesn't make too much sense when this option would/should actually save cash money.
Also, the competence required to run Linux is no longer astronomical. This past weekend, I installed PuppyLinux on my grandfather's laptop because the Windows XP install my dad did was too slow to be usable. I pointed out the icons to click to run various apps and he was quite pleased (especially with the speed boost). It would be nice to fix family computer problems in one broad stroke by saying "Just buy the Linux version". Anyone who wants more than what Linux can offer (like high end games) will be competent enough to overwrite it with a Windows install or set up dual boot---or just buy the Windows option and not need family tech support.
FINISH VIM!
In other news, it has recently been revealed that several centuries ago, cartographers actively sold maps to seafaring pirates. Legal proceedings have revealed that many well-respected mapmakers have been implicated as enablers for these pirates. Amerigo Vespucci was not available for comment, but it is suspected that this turn of events will tarnish his name...
You must be new here.
The proper phrase is "In Soviet Osaka, Toughbooks break drop testing machines."
For added flavor, you can throw in stuff like:
"THEY SET US UP THE DROP TEST"
"The drop tester is dead, Netcraft confirms it"
"I, for one, welcome our drop tester-breaking Toughbook overlords"
At first I though "disabilities" referred to mental state, etc. that came about from poor allocation of character points and experience points in First Life. However, the article talks mostly about physically handicapped players, for which there is a simple fix. If you've taken on too much damage in First Life, just start playing Second Life. I've heard that if you select your initial character type as "cat", you can repeat the procedure all the way up to Ninth Life.
In Soviet Russia, AJAX succeeded, then failed.
AJAX is still failing for me, you insensitive clod.
Yeah, but does AJAX run Linux?
1. Invent AJAX at Microsoft
2. Use AJAX at Google
3. ???
4. PROFIT!!!
Ajax is still failing. Netcraft confirms it.
I, for one, welcome our new AJAX-inventing overlords.
Imagine AJAX naked, petrified, and covered in hot grits.
AJAX must be new here...
If the Terminator taught us anything, it is AI that will save the kids from AI.
Actually, it might work to just stipulate the award money in advance, and then whichever side loses the patent suit would be required to pay out that amount to the winner. If you *know* that your patent is being infringed and that it will hold up, then go for the big dollars because they are rightly yours. However, if there is even a shadow of a doubt that there might be prior art or something else that would invalidate your patent, then patent trolls will think twice before adding a few zeros to the damages they seek.
The fundamental problem is that the potential cost of losing is so low that it is becoming commoditized, which is why we're starting to see patents being bought and sold in bulk.
Something I was wondering in general (but which might apply well for OLPC laptops due to the lower processing power) is if it would be feasible to implement a multicomputer parallel processing capability. That is, use the mesh network to divide processing between multiple laptops, based on a language like Erlang (if it requires substantial changes or simplification maybe give it a new name like IntErlang). I imagine it would use a BitTorrent approach to managing jobs and transferring data, and the connected laptops each run a safe process that handles computation & calculation (like is done with SETI@home).
Doing all this would seem to create a virtual community-based supercomputer, but I don't know enough to identify if there are any showstoppers.
I think maybe you meant to buy a harmonica.
Although my understanding is that if you do enough video editing, even your mindless hammerings on a guitar can be transformed into music that gets posted to Slashdot.
They can't sell copies of Windows XP for the same cost because of the physical media involved...I reckon it takes an extra ten cents to print a nifty genuine hologram, and $36.40 goes to the RIAA because someone might figure out how to use the CD to pirate music.
Apparently, this sort of multitasking can be taken to a whole 'nother level... http://bash.org/?715644
I'll nominate Settlers of Catan as well. My parents have it (with the 6 person expansion), as does my sister, and I know my parents are getting it for me for Christmas (at my request). It does have a hefty price tag (I think $40 just for the basic 4 player version), but when you factor in how much it gets played, it's well worth it.
First, cut back on the Viagra. Second, it doesn't qualify as a person (even if it has it's own brain).
On the bright side though, it makes buying Christmas presents this year so much easier...
In Soviet Russia, Time makes You
IN A.D. 2006
WAR WAS BEGINNING.
Kim: WHAT HAPPEN?
Mechanic: SOMEBODY SET UP US THE BAN.
Operator: WE GET EMBARGO.
Kim: WHAT!!
Operator: VIDEO IPOD TURN ON.
Kim: IT'S YOU!!
Bush: HOW ARE YOU GENTLEMEN!!
Bush: ALL YOUR IPOD ARE BELONG TO US.
Bush: YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO BOREDOM.
Dictator Kim: WHAT YOU SAY!!
Bush: YOU HAVE NO CHANCE TO PRESS PLAY MAKE YOUR TIME.
Bush: HA HA HA HA....
Operator: DICTATOR!
Kim: TAKE OFF EVERY 'MP3'!!
Kim: YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DOING.
Kim: MOVE 'ITUNES'.
Kim: FOR GREAT JUSTICE