To clarify the summary: it's not that the WRONG instruments were installed, but that the SAME instruments were installed but calibrated for the OPPOSITE rovers. So, the data have been slightly off in a predictable way. In the end, it's not too surprising nor is it devastating. The data is still valid and is being readjusted.
In addition, the OS X version of AIM is widely considered to be a terribly designed piece of work. The interface seems to be tossed together haphazardly.
There are many alternatives out there with:
1. NO ads
2. Much better interfaces (check out the group chat windows in AIM for OS X for an example of a huge, terribly designed interface).
3. Multiprotocol support. This is something that AIM will almost certainly never get unless they somehow buy another network. Most people have friends on a lot of different services, and the ability to talk to them all without having to switch apps and interfaces in a big draw.
Disclaimer: I am an Adium dev, but what I've said is based on experience and lots of user feedback -- this isn't propaganda. AOL's main hope seems to be in keeping users ignorant of the alternatives.
And on the other hand, while it may be old news, it IS interesting. I certainly didn't hear about it when it happened. News like this tends to be less visible than news about chess computers or other projects that are more in the public eye.
My parents live in a VERY rural area. The phone lines leading down the road and into their house are likely the first lines ever there. They are tremendously bad quality, both for voice and internet access. Repeated calls to the phone company have done nothing.
So, my question is, after all these mergers and changes and "improvements"... will my parents be able to connect via dialup at speeds better than 24k? Will they be able to call people without ridiculous amounts of static? Might their cell phones actually have service in more than half the state? In other words, will they see any real benefit?
My typical border crossing experiences, as a US citizen studying in Canada:
(Crossing into Canada:)
Customs Official: Citizenship?
Me: US
Customs Official: Reason for trip?
Me: Studying at UW
Customs Official: Oh, in Waterloo? Beautiful area, that is. Have a great semester!
(Crossing into the US:)
Customs Official: citizenship?
me: US
Customs Official: Reason for trip?
Me: Studying at UW
Customs Official: Studying? Who comes to Canada for college?! What are you studying?
Me: Math
Customs Official: (Horrified look) ok, you can go!
I'm glad to see (just noticed it because of the reference in the summary) that the GRE board is going back to a pencil-and-paper method. I took the computer-based GRE about a year ago, and among other things, the computers, software, and lack or real security definitely made me nervous.
I don't know whether the testing machines were hooked up to the internet, but I suspect they were -- as a convenience for sending results and personal information. I doubt it was all stored locally. Even if it was, I doubt that info was cleared after each testing session -- waste of time, recordable media, laziness, etc. Each terminal could run various apps, some from CD's, depending on the particular test, so there was certainly some form of access to running apps.
The computers all appeared to be running Windows 98 or so, with custom GRE software. I have no idea whether the software itself had any holes (it seems likely), but it would probably be quite easy to install a keylogger on any of them, especially if one of the proctors wasn't totally honest, or didn't follow the rules to a T. I could have easily brought in a floppy or CD in my pocket, since the proctor never checked as he was supposed to. Heck, I could probably have brought in a calculator, a small dictionary, even a laptop if I was careful -- we were behind partial cubicle-like privacy walls, and when I leaned back I could see the proctor out in the office area reading a magazine the whole time.
Some of this would still be possible with a paper-and-pencil test. However, given that proctors (in general -- no offense to the good ones out there) will probably always be lazy, removing the computers is a good idea.
Funny, my parents sent a letter (standard weight and size) about 3 weeks ago, and I got it today. They're in Michigan, I'm 5 hours east in Ontario. This is fairly typical
Apple was also making IIe's in a different manner around 1992: The IIe Card for the Mac LC. I believe this was available only through Apple's education program (selling to teachers, not students), as it also came bundled with MacWrite, MacDraw, and some gradebook software.
The LC was my first Mac, and the expansion slot (yes, THE slot) came with an "Apple IIe card" which let you turn your spiffy new 16 MHz Mac into a crappy old IIe. It had a port for a 5.25" floppy drive and other expansion goodies, and you could run the IIe "program" along with Mac apps if you enabled MultiFinder. (This was System 6, before the always-on cooperative multitasking of System 7.)
Don't get me wrong -- I loved that thing. I learned AppleSoft BASIC on there, and that sparked my interest so much that it really got me started learning how computers WORK. That started me on Mac programming, then *nix, and has continued to this day. I don't think that many people really used (or needed) it though, as it quickly disappeared from the market.
But still, it was so incongruous to see an old 5.25" floppy drive sitting next to the Mac -- or seeing the huge 40 column display taking over the screen -- and then going back to that nice new spiffy System 6 interface.
So yes, although the IIe seemed dead, Apple was doing its best to keep it alive in a few niche markets, and it was a great deal for me.
Scientists feel that, the more humanlike the animal, the better research model it makes for testing drugs or possibly growing "spare parts," such as livers, to transplant into humans.
Watching how human cells mature and interact in a living creature may also lead to the discoveries of new medical treatments.
I'm not saying that I agree with this (the idea scares me, really). But that's the reason and it's at least logical. We're always looking for better ways to test drugs, new treatments, etc. This is the next logical step.
So, a knee-jerk reaction to it ("That's gotta be the sickest thing in biology I've ever heard of.") might be your initial reaction, but also think of what can come of it.
Now the real question is, when does something become human enough to have legal protections?
On your local OS X System, head to the International pane of the System prefs and click the "Input Menu" tab. Check the "Dvorak - Qwerty Command Key" option. Voila! You now have a Dvorak keyboard layout, but all command-key combos stay in the same place as they were under Qwerty.
So, the Command+X,C,V for cut, copy, paste are still in the same physical location, and your muscle memory will keep working correctly even though your regular typing uses a Dvorak layout.
No idea if there's an equivalent for windows, and I really doubt there's something similar for *nix.
What if friends emailed him some very private, personal email asking for advice. Email provides more protection, than say snail mail which anyone can read (granted not ALOT more, but at least someone has to have the id and pw).
You could argue, however, that both snail-mail and emails are sent with the expectation of privacy. Yes, spooks can read your mail, and eavesdroppers could intercept your (non-encrypted) emails as well. But, you don't expect your thoughts to be broadcast around the country.
The difference comes from the fact that there is a 3rd party -- Yahoo -- involved in getting access to this email. If he had left his passwords to someone in the faimly, there would be implied permission to read his email.
Suppose that your uncle Dan dies, and leaves a bunch of letters locked in his desk drawer -- and Freda (his best friend) has the key. Is she obligated to give the key to Dan's family?
I don't know the answer to that, but then again IANAL...
Our (rather secure) network in this house of 4 people and 7 computers is: nerdmobile.
Problem is, nobody can remember if we meant it to be nerd-mobile (like Mobile Home) or nerdmobile (like a thing a nerd would drive).
I'm a US citizen in my second semester as a Math Master's student at a Canadian University. A few things to consider:
1. Canadian universities tend to treat Masters and Ph. D. programs as totally separate -- for example, I will have to totally reapply to my university once I finish the Masters, to get into the Ph. D. program. US schools often merge Masters and Ph. D, and it may be harder to get JUST a Masters' in the states (Most of the US schools I applied to gave me very odd looks when I asked about that).
2. As a result, many Canadian universities have specialized Masters programs for people who want more education, but don't want to devote 5 or 6 extra years of their life to a Ph. D. I don't know if you want that or not, but it's something to consider. Ask around and they may have a program that is LOOKING for someone like you!
3. When you are accepted to a foreign university which you are even THINKING of attending, start the immigration/student visa procedure immediately. Between getting a passport and applying for a student visa, I ran right up to the last minute (I started 4 months early). At one point, the Canadian Consulate General returned my entire application, untouched, because I'd sent TOO MUCH MONEY in for a fee. (About $5 Canadian extra, by accident.)
This doesn't apply only to "non-traditional" students (i.e. you), but I hope it helps!
Slashdot Mirror
To clarify the summary: it's not that the WRONG instruments were installed, but that the SAME instruments were installed but calibrated for the OPPOSITE rovers. So, the data have been slightly off in a predictable way. In the end, it's not too surprising nor is it devastating. The data is still valid and is being readjusted.
... but there are STILL ads, nicer or not!
In addition, the OS X version of AIM is widely considered to be a terribly designed piece of work. The interface seems to be tossed together haphazardly.
There are many alternatives out there with:
1. NO ads
2. Much better interfaces (check out the group chat windows in AIM for OS X for an example of a huge, terribly designed interface).
3. Multiprotocol support. This is something that AIM will almost certainly never get unless they somehow buy another network. Most people have friends on a lot of different services, and the ability to talk to them all without having to switch apps and interfaces in a big draw.
Disclaimer: I am an Adium dev, but what I've said is based on experience and lots of user feedback -- this isn't propaganda. AOL's main hope seems to be in keeping users ignorant of the alternatives.
what, did those sort of people randomly instant message you with such messages when you were on?
Actually yes, people do do that. It's called spim. But then again, it can be blocked (although that's a losing battle often).
WHAT?! U R Still On the Old AIM!
:)
AIM 5.9 Allows U To Do So Much More W/ UR Buds
Adium has an (optional) plugin that actually filters out people who talk like that...
I did my part: I live in Canada!
And on the other hand, while it may be old news, it IS interesting. I certainly didn't hear about it when it happened. News like this tends to be less visible than news about chess computers or other projects that are more in the public eye.
My parents live in a VERY rural area. The phone lines leading down the road and into their house are likely the first lines ever there. They are tremendously bad quality, both for voice and internet access. Repeated calls to the phone company have done nothing.
... will my parents be able to connect via dialup at speeds better than 24k? Will they be able to call people without ridiculous amounts of static? Might their cell phones actually have service in more than half the state? In other words, will they see any real benefit?
So, my question is, after all these mergers and changes and "improvements"
I'm not holding my breath.
My typical border crossing experiences, as a US citizen studying in Canada:
(Crossing into Canada:)
Customs Official: Citizenship?
Me: US
Customs Official: Reason for trip?
Me: Studying at UW
Customs Official: Oh, in Waterloo? Beautiful area, that is. Have a great semester!
(Crossing into the US:)
Customs Official: citizenship?
me: US
Customs Official: Reason for trip?
Me: Studying at UW
Customs Official: Studying? Who comes to Canada for college?! What are you studying?
Me: Math
Customs Official: (Horrified look) ok, you can go!
I'm glad to see (just noticed it because of the reference in the summary) that the GRE board is going back to a pencil-and-paper method. I took the computer-based GRE about a year ago, and among other things, the computers, software, and lack or real security definitely made me nervous.
I don't know whether the testing machines were hooked up to the internet, but I suspect they were -- as a convenience for sending results and personal information. I doubt it was all stored locally. Even if it was, I doubt that info was cleared after each testing session -- waste of time, recordable media, laziness, etc. Each terminal could run various apps, some from CD's, depending on the particular test, so there was certainly some form of access to running apps.
The computers all appeared to be running Windows 98 or so, with custom GRE software. I have no idea whether the software itself had any holes (it seems likely), but it would probably be quite easy to install a keylogger on any of them, especially if one of the proctors wasn't totally honest, or didn't follow the rules to a T. I could have easily brought in a floppy or CD in my pocket, since the proctor never checked as he was supposed to. Heck, I could probably have brought in a calculator, a small dictionary, even a laptop if I was careful -- we were behind partial cubicle-like privacy walls, and when I leaned back I could see the proctor out in the office area reading a magazine the whole time.
Some of this would still be possible with a paper-and-pencil test. However, given that proctors (in general -- no offense to the good ones out there) will probably always be lazy, removing the computers is a good idea.
Funny, my parents sent a letter (standard weight and size) about 3 weeks ago, and I got it today. They're in Michigan, I'm 5 hours east in Ontario. This is fairly typical
;)
Maybe they could send letters through Amazon?
I use Skype on my mac to talk to my girl too. It's great, because we're in different countries -- she in the US, me in Canada.
:)
Yes, girls exist.
Yes, Canada isn't part of the US.
Ain't it grand?
Apple was also making IIe's in a different manner around 1992: The IIe Card for the Mac LC. I believe this was available only through Apple's education program (selling to teachers, not students), as it also came bundled with MacWrite, MacDraw, and some gradebook software.
The LC was my first Mac, and the expansion slot (yes, THE slot) came with an "Apple IIe card" which let you turn your spiffy new 16 MHz Mac into a crappy old IIe. It had a port for a 5.25" floppy drive and other expansion goodies, and you could run the IIe "program" along with Mac apps if you enabled MultiFinder. (This was System 6, before the always-on cooperative multitasking of System 7.)
Don't get me wrong -- I loved that thing. I learned AppleSoft BASIC on there, and that sparked my interest so much that it really got me started learning how computers WORK. That started me on Mac programming, then *nix, and has continued to this day. I don't think that many people really used (or needed) it though, as it quickly disappeared from the market.
But still, it was so incongruous to see an old 5.25" floppy drive sitting next to the Mac -- or seeing the huge 40 column display taking over the screen -- and then going back to that nice new spiffy System 6 interface. So yes, although the IIe seemed dead, Apple was doing its best to keep it alive in a few niche markets, and it was a great deal for me.
You could however be a vigilante which would be the real solution to the grammar problem... since otherwise it's merely spelling. :)
Also from TFA:
Scientists feel that, the more humanlike the animal, the better research model it makes for testing drugs or possibly growing "spare parts," such as livers, to transplant into humans.
Watching how human cells mature and interact in a living creature may also lead to the discoveries of new medical treatments.
I'm not saying that I agree with this (the idea scares me, really). But that's the reason and it's at least logical. We're always looking for better ways to test drugs, new treatments, etc. This is the next logical step.
So, a knee-jerk reaction to it ("That's gotta be the sickest thing in biology I've ever heard of.") might be your initial reaction, but also think of what can come of it.
Now the real question is, when does something become human enough to have legal protections?
On your local OS X System, head to the International pane of the System prefs and click the "Input Menu" tab. Check the "Dvorak - Qwerty Command Key" option. Voila! You now have a Dvorak keyboard layout, but all command-key combos stay in the same place as they were under Qwerty.
So, the Command+X,C,V for cut, copy, paste are still in the same physical location, and your muscle memory will keep working correctly even though your regular typing uses a Dvorak layout.
No idea if there's an equivalent for windows, and I really doubt there's something similar for *nix.
What if friends emailed him some very private, personal email asking for advice. Email provides more protection, than say snail mail which anyone can read (granted not ALOT more, but at least someone has to have the id and pw).
You could argue, however, that both snail-mail and emails are sent with the expectation of privacy. Yes, spooks can read your mail, and eavesdroppers could intercept your (non-encrypted) emails as well. But, you don't expect your thoughts to be broadcast around the country.
The difference comes from the fact that there is a 3rd party -- Yahoo -- involved in getting access to this email. If he had left his passwords to someone in the faimly, there would be implied permission to read his email.
Suppose that your uncle Dan dies, and leaves a bunch of letters locked in his desk drawer -- and Freda (his best friend) has the key. Is she obligated to give the key to Dan's family?
I don't know the answer to that, but then again IANAL...
Our (rather secure) network in this house of 4 people and 7 computers is: nerdmobile. Problem is, nobody can remember if we meant it to be nerd-mobile (like Mobile Home) or nerdmobile (like a thing a nerd would drive).
I'm a US citizen in my second semester as a Math Master's student at a Canadian University. A few things to consider:
1. Canadian universities tend to treat Masters and Ph. D. programs as totally separate -- for example, I will have to totally reapply to my university once I finish the Masters, to get into the Ph. D. program. US schools often merge Masters and Ph. D, and it may be harder to get JUST a Masters' in the states (Most of the US schools I applied to gave me very odd looks when I asked about that).
2. As a result, many Canadian universities have specialized Masters programs for people who want more education, but don't want to devote 5 or 6 extra years of their life to a Ph. D. I don't know if you want that or not, but it's something to consider. Ask around and they may have a program that is LOOKING for someone like you!
3. When you are accepted to a foreign university which you are even THINKING of attending, start the immigration/student visa procedure immediately. Between getting a passport and applying for a student visa, I ran right up to the last minute (I started 4 months early). At one point, the Canadian Consulate General returned my entire application, untouched, because I'd sent TOO MUCH MONEY in for a fee. (About $5 Canadian extra, by accident.)
This doesn't apply only to "non-traditional" students (i.e. you), but I hope it helps!