I am not a great admirer of Regan, either as an actor or politician, but one thing he said was on the mark. "Trust but verify."
Although, according to Wikipedia, Trust but verify was originally a Russian proverb taught to Regan by an adviser:
Suzanne Massie, a writer on Russia, met with President Ronald Reagan many times between 1984 and 1987.[1] She taught him the Russian proverb, "doveryai no proveryai" (trust, but verify) advising him that "The Russians like to talk in proverbs.
... why were they using the toxic components in the first place?
They were experimenting with acidic compounds that work well based on their properties. They switched to one non-toxic alkaline chemical then had to engineer the other to match. At the moment, the non-toxic version only has 2/3 the capacity of the same-size toxic version. Or, you know, you could read TFA.
Given the wide spread adoption of mobile devices - battery technology.
The poster asked about *this* battery technology. Since it's a "flow" battery comprised of separate liquid-filled containers and a pump, I doubt it'll be installed in any mobile devices - or at least any you're going to put in your pocket.
I'm not sure about the US, but in the UK it's dark and windless for approximately 10% of the year.
Judging from what I've seen on C-SPAN and BBC broadcasts, all our problems would be solved if only the US and UK could set up wind turbines *inside* Congress and Parliament...
Grotesque errors of logic to put the plot in progress, such as the biologist who despite clearly being a fearful guy he completely ignores the danger of dealing with an alien serpent, the contamination with the alien goo, etc. The theme itself is interesting, but it could easily be rewritten in a much more plausible and convincing way
Agreed. I hate it when smart characters do obviously dumb things. Like when Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) is running from the crashed / rolling space ship - I have one word for her: perpendicular.
At the beginning the dust storm was strong enough to tear apart antennas, tip over the MAV, and send objects flying through the air.
But at the end, the MAV could use a piece of fabric to cover open panels because the atmosphere is so thin there is very little aerodynamic forces on the craft. (As compared to a launch on earth).
If the thin atmosphere reduces wind forces At the end why didn't it in the beginning?
The NASA guy in TFA points out that dust storms on Mars aren't as dangerous as depicted because of the thin atmosphere (as you point out) and Weir acknowledges that but adds that he wrote it that way because it's a man vs. Nature story and he wanted Nature to get in the first punch.
But frankly I have a VERY hard time believing that the engineers involved did not know that what they were doing would violate the law.
On the other hand, the code could be used to support a control test case, with the emissions controls switched on/off, to support development and how well the emissions controls were working on the same engine. This would allow the engine developers to test against a live performance benchmark. On the original hand, having that switch on/off automatically is quite hinky, so it's probably not (solely) for development testing.
You get fired now, or you implement something dubious - what do you choose?
You get fired. Then you sue for wrongful termination. Then you expose the company in court (public record) about how shitty they are threatening you with termination (you have proof? right?) for doing something dubious.
Dubious and wrong aren't the same thing and the OP didn't explain further. He's a programmer and his employer asked him to write some tax calculation code. Either he can research the math and write some code or he can't. If he can't or refuses, getting fired isn't "wrongful termination", though it would be a dick move to fire him if he's simply not up to the task w/o affording him a chance to learn. Documenting his concerns is a good CYA idea in case anything goes south. Now, if his employer asks him to write some erroneous or misleading tax calculation code, or he discovers that is the case, then he can proceed as you suggest. At least in an "at will" employment situation or state, getting fired is an implicit consequence of not doing what you're asked/told to do.
I was like "Haven't I seen this before?", and thinking that I had, because I work on Chrome, but then looked at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
which says "This page was last modified on 27 February 2015, at 18:32."
The Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant at Niagara Falls is a better example. But in order for that type of system to work you need a very predictable oversupply of generated electricity. Extra capacity a couple of times a year for a few hours won't do it.
Agreed. The one in Virginia is powered using excess from a nuclear plant - pretty predictable:-)
He said you can't just do something with the extra power.
Yes, that is what he said, and it is plain obvious that he meant: "it needs to be put to some use".
Texas is looking into pumped storage and near-by Oklahoma already has one that supplies ERCOT in Texas.
That is plain obvious, too. Every grid has a noticeable amount of pumped storages....
And when *I* mentioned pumped storage, *he* replied:
That's an experiment, not a reasonable solution that exists for widespread use today. Also, good luck finding hydroelectric facilities that can be used that way in Texas...or, for that matter, in most places.
So which is it (a) him: "an experiment, not a reasonable solution that exists for widespread use today" or (b) you: "Every grid has a noticeable amount of pumped storages" ? Texas and neighboring states have them, but since you two don't seem to agree, perhaps it isn't as "obvious" as you think.
(*facepalm*)
That is exactly what your parent said, you need a sink for the extra power.
He said you can't just do something with the extra power. Sure, Texas may not have reservoirs, but if they were better connected to other grids, they could sell their extra power to localities that can "do something" with it. Also, as I noted in another post, and you replied to, Texas is looking into pumped storage and near-by Oklahoma already has one that supplies ERCOT in Texas.
That's an experiment, not a reasonable solution that exists for widespread use today. Also, good luck finding hydroelectric facilities that can be used that way in Texas..
... deliver power into three electrical grids: ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), SPP (Southwest Power Pool) and MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator), providing peak power that will help reduce energy shortfalls as well as ancillary services.
Annually Texas generates approximately 1 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity directly from water resources via 675 MW of hydroelectric power capacity. This hydroelectric generation amounted to only 0.3% of the total electricity generation during 2007, and further development of feasible hydropower resources could result in approximately 4 more million MWh per year.
But, the above does also note that:
The use of Texas water resources together with other technologies that can exploit saline gradients between water sources is possible, but limited to several million MWh/yr.
You can't just "do" something with surplus power on the grid...
Actually, you can and in Virginia we do. The Bath County Pumped Storage Station uses surplus power (from a nuclear plant) to pump water up into a reservoir to later be used to generate hydro power during high demand.
Which is great news! Texas is ahead of the world now in being prepared for the huge increase in electricity usage that good electric cars will cause.
You missed the part where this happened at 4AM.
So this surplus is ALMOST as useful as high tide is to a guy buried in the sand at the low tide mark.
One of the article points is that Texas is not hugely interconnected with other electrical grids. If it were, that electricity could be easily sold elsewhere. At that hour, things are winding down on the west coast and just getting started on the east coast. I imagine there's a demand for that power somewhere.
Even if he simply transplanted a clock into a pencil case, he shows more knowledge of electronics than the vast majority of adults.
Unless he altered the electronics, simply taking something apart shows more knowledge of using a screwdriver than anything else. Kudos to him for being curious about how things work and more if he can reassemble the thing.
Best lesson I ever learned when I was in grade school was in taking apart a motorcycle carburetor, reassembling it, and having parts left over. Taught me to pay attention and be organized when working on things.
Slashdot Mirror
I am not a great admirer of Regan, either as an actor or politician, but one thing he said was on the mark. "Trust but verify."
Although, according to Wikipedia, Trust but verify was originally a Russian proverb taught to Regan by an adviser:
Suzanne Massie, a writer on Russia, met with President Ronald Reagan many times between 1984 and 1987.[1] She taught him the Russian proverb, "doveryai no proveryai" (trust, but verify) advising him that "The Russians like to talk in proverbs.
... why were they using the toxic components in the first place?
They were experimenting with acidic compounds that work well based on their properties. They switched to one non-toxic alkaline chemical then had to engineer the other to match. At the moment, the non-toxic version only has 2/3 the capacity of the same-size toxic version. Or, you know, you could read TFA.
Given the wide spread adoption of mobile devices - battery technology.
The poster asked about *this* battery technology. Since it's a "flow" battery comprised of separate liquid-filled containers and a pump, I doubt it'll be installed in any mobile devices - or at least any you're going to put in your pocket.
I'm not sure about the US, but in the UK it's dark and windless for approximately 10% of the year.
Judging from what I've seen on C-SPAN and BBC broadcasts, all our problems would be solved if only the US and UK could set up wind turbines *inside* Congress and Parliament ...
Use facial recognition to map current facial expression to emoji :-)
Show me your best eggplant face...
I am 48 and seem to get it. It is just doing stuff for the sake of doing it. Or so it seems.
Doesn't that ultimately explain most/all things?
But it would have taken him ten minutes to find the key.
Unless he remapped it to the 1000-key Dvorak Emoji layout.
Grotesque errors of logic to put the plot in progress, such as the biologist who despite clearly being a fearful guy he completely ignores the danger of dealing with an alien serpent, the contamination with the alien goo, etc. The theme itself is interesting, but it could easily be rewritten in a much more plausible and convincing way
Agreed. I hate it when smart characters do obviously dumb things. Like when Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) is running from the crashed / rolling space ship - I have one word for her: perpendicular.
Quit reading now if you don't want spoilers....
At the beginning the dust storm was strong enough to tear apart antennas, tip over the MAV, and send objects flying through the air.
But at the end, the MAV could use a piece of fabric to cover open panels because the atmosphere is so thin there is very little aerodynamic forces on the craft. (As compared to a launch on earth).
If the thin atmosphere reduces wind forces At the end why didn't it in the beginning?
The NASA guy in TFA points out that dust storms on Mars aren't as dangerous as depicted because of the thin atmosphere (as you point out) and Weir acknowledges that but adds that he wrote it that way because it's a man vs. Nature story and he wanted Nature to get in the first punch.
But frankly I have a VERY hard time believing that the engineers involved did not know that what they were doing would violate the law.
On the other hand, the code could be used to support a control test case, with the emissions controls switched on/off, to support development and how well the emissions controls were working on the same engine. This would allow the engine developers to test against a live performance benchmark. On the original hand, having that switch on/off automatically is quite hinky, so it's probably not (solely) for development testing.
You get fired now, or you implement something dubious - what do you choose?
You get fired. Then you sue for wrongful termination. Then you expose the company in court (public record) about how shitty they are threatening you with termination (you have proof? right?) for doing something dubious.
Dubious and wrong aren't the same thing and the OP didn't explain further. He's a programmer and his employer asked him to write some tax calculation code. Either he can research the math and write some code or he can't. If he can't or refuses, getting fired isn't "wrongful termination", though it would be a dick move to fire him if he's simply not up to the task w/o affording him a chance to learn. Documenting his concerns is a good CYA idea in case anything goes south. Now, if his employer asks him to write some erroneous or misleading tax calculation code, or he discovers that is the case, then he can proceed as you suggest. At least in an "at will" employment situation or state, getting fired is an implicit consequence of not doing what you're asked/told to do.
I was like "Haven't I seen this before?", and thinking that I had, because I work on Chrome, but then looked at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... which says "This page was last modified on 27 February 2015, at 18:32."
Maybe it's just coming out of beta.
This is Google. Nothing ever comes out of beta.
You can take the laptop out of China, but you can't take the Chinese out of the laptop.
The main problem with Chinese laptops is that an hour later you want to buy another one.
She arranged for a class for girls, and with the barriers removed her daughter changed her attitude towards programming.
Perhaps Mommy can arrange a girls-only life for her daughter too so she doesn't have to deal with, you know, stuff.
You don't get to be CEO by accepting reality.
Or a Congress Critter, or President.
The Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant at Niagara Falls is a better example. But in order for that type of system to work you need a very predictable oversupply of generated electricity. Extra capacity a couple of times a year for a few hours won't do it.
Agreed. The one in Virginia is powered using excess from a nuclear plant - pretty predictable :-)
He said you can't just do something with the extra power. Yes, that is what he said, and it is plain obvious that he meant: "it needs to be put to some use".
Texas is looking into pumped storage and near-by Oklahoma already has one that supplies ERCOT in Texas. That is plain obvious, too. Every grid has a noticeable amount of pumped storages. ...
And when *I* mentioned pumped storage, *he* replied:
That's an experiment, not a reasonable solution that exists for widespread use today. Also, good luck finding hydroelectric facilities that can be used that way in Texas...or, for that matter, in most places.
So which is it (a) him: "an experiment, not a reasonable solution that exists for widespread use today" or (b) you: "Every grid has a noticeable amount of pumped storages" ? Texas and neighboring states have them, but since you two don't seem to agree, perhaps it isn't as "obvious" as you think.
(*facepalm*) That is exactly what your parent said, you need a sink for the extra power.
He said you can't just do something with the extra power. Sure, Texas may not have reservoirs, but if they were better connected to other grids, they could sell their extra power to localities that can "do something" with it. Also, as I noted in another post, and you replied to, Texas is looking into pumped storage and near-by Oklahoma already has one that supplies ERCOT in Texas.
That's an experiment, not a reasonable solution that exists for widespread use today. Also, good luck finding hydroelectric facilities that can be used that way in Texas..
Like the Wildflower Pump Storagein Southeast Oklahoma that will
... deliver power into three electrical grids: ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), SPP (Southwest Power Pool) and MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator), providing peak power that will help reduce energy shortfalls as well as ancillary services.
and the proposed Cedar Creek Pumped Storage Project for Briscoe, Armstrong and Randall counties
You're correct that these opportunities are limited in Texas, but according to Texas State Energy Conservation Office:
Annually Texas generates approximately 1 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity directly from water resources via 675 MW of hydroelectric power capacity. This hydroelectric generation amounted to only 0.3% of the total electricity generation during 2007, and further development of feasible hydropower resources could result in approximately 4 more million MWh per year.
But, the above does also note that:
The use of Texas water resources together with other technologies that can exploit saline gradients between water sources is possible, but limited to several million MWh/yr.
You can't just "do" something with surplus power on the grid...
Actually, you can and in Virginia we do. The Bath County Pumped Storage Station uses surplus power (from a nuclear plant) to pump water up into a reservoir to later be used to generate hydro power during high demand.
Also see: The Inside Story Of The World’s Biggest ‘Battery’ And The Future Of Renewable Energy
Which is great news! Texas is ahead of the world now in being prepared for the huge increase in electricity usage that good electric cars will cause.
You missed the part where this happened at 4AM.
So this surplus is ALMOST as useful as high tide is to a guy buried in the sand at the low tide mark.
One of the article points is that Texas is not hugely interconnected with other electrical grids. If it were, that electricity could be easily sold elsewhere. At that hour, things are winding down on the west coast and just getting started on the east coast. I imagine there's a demand for that power somewhere.
Yes, coding is hard.
Good coding anyway. Bad coding is apparently pretty fucking easy.
The article is about the former not latter.
And yet the point I am making (that the age of the brain doesn't matter) still holds.
It really doesn't hold.
I never said that a 5 week baby brain is a person.
Um, fetus != baby. A 5 week old fetus/brain is quite different from a 5 week old baby/brain. The article is about the former not latter.
Even if he simply transplanted a clock into a pencil case, he shows more knowledge of electronics than the vast majority of adults.
Unless he altered the electronics, simply taking something apart shows more knowledge of using a screwdriver than anything else. Kudos to him for being curious about how things work and more if he can reassemble the thing.
Best lesson I ever learned when I was in grade school was in taking apart a motorcycle carburetor, reassembling it, and having parts left over. Taught me to pay attention and be organized when working on things.