Think of the wonders the conductor of an orchestra can accomplish
Well, think about the magic that an orchestra really performs! Musicians are not reacting to the gestures of the conductor, they predict them so they can stay ahead... and in sync. This prediction capability won't come to computing devices for quite some time, I'll predict...
Hmm, whatever that means. I for my part remain in an unimpressed state. While the idea is good, the obvious lag renders the handling rather clumsy. Combine that with no haptic feedback and the idea isn't so good anymore.
The problem with high-voltage AC is that you have to dimension the insulation for the peak voltage, not the effective voltage. An AC line with effective 400kV has a peak voltage of about 560kV. Given that the power loss is proportional to the inverse square of the voltage this means that by switching from AC to DC the power loss can be halved. Given this huge advantage, the cost for the necessary high-power-switching-equipment at the end of the lines is negligible.
Furthermore, parasitic capacities limit high-voltage AC underground cables to about 70km. DC lines don't have that problem, which is why they are / will be used in the Desertec project and in offshore windparks.
Another problem of AC is the exact synchronisation of generators, otherwise the phase shift in the supplied current will lead to voltage fluctuations and can lead to the breakdown of the whole net. Again, DC doesn't have this problem.
While AC is the right choice for end usage, DC is clearly superior when it comes to high-power applications.
We have an energy DISTRIBUTION problem. The problem lies in moving the energy from where it's cheap (sunny areas for solar) to where it's needed (e.g. the cold north). So subsidizing solar isn't the whole solution unless you also start subsidizing enhancements to the electric grid. Like changing it from AC to DC to reduce energy loss.
I don't think that money for the site is a problem, given that you can get a decent webhosting package (cgi + 2 databases) with unlimited traffic for about 50 USD per year. I'd think it's the time that must be invested to run the site. A site like this cannot run on automatic...
Perl is a much better scripting/programming language. You can even use Tk for a more windowy experience. And if you cannot do what you want to do directly in perl, you can still call a DOS batch file that does the windows-specific things...
If somebody kills the cat lady, there will be a real trial with a real judge.
Yes, but she will be dead. Too bad, she now cannot defend herself.
If somebody vandalizes her home, there will be a real trial with a real judge.
Yes, and she must suffer a loss in both money, time and happiness. But at least she has the opportunity to prove that she is innocent.
If somebody just calls her names on a street: tough luck, but she still can survive.
Yes, she probably will survive verbal violence. Maybe she will take her own life because she cannot stand the mobbing any more. But she will die with the good feeling that she is innocent.
There is a good reason why "supposed innocent until proven guilty" must not be an empty phrase...
I do not understand why with such evidence she was not tried in court? Does not China have laws against cruelty to animals?
Cannot answer that, but having laws against cruelty to animals and executing them are two widely different things. As examples from most so-called "civilized" countries show...
The problem is that those "judges" remain anonymous. I concurr that 100 people stepping out and publically stating "My name ist such-and-such, I am fully convinced that this evidence is real, is not faked and thus the accused is guilty and I accept the full consequences if my judgement is wrong" would be superior to most jury-trials. But this doesn't happen, therefore that anonymous finger-pointing is wrong.
While the public might be a good detective, it certainly is a bad judge. Given the current technology (need I say photoshop?) a picture or a video can be faked by e.g. a malicious stalker who is after destroying a persons reputation. Posting the results of such a witch hunt without the accused having the possibility to respond to the accusation and defend hirself violates a basic human right.
I agree, the demo was definitely not live, there are several inconsitencies throughout the video where the software seems to read the users mind and reacts before a proper stimulus could have been detected. It was probably captured and cut together from several test runs and later reenacted. So this clip is more wishful thinking than an actual tech demo. Which is a pity, it looks promising. Hopefully it wasn't all fake...
The fact that the base is where the tornado's energy comes from. Tornadoes aren't self-sustaining. As soon as it left the base, it'd start to dissipate, from the bottom up I would think.
Sorry, no. The energy source in a tornado is the updraft along the whole column. Once a vortex is started, it would store energy in its updraft and could easily rip off the base and start wandering around, leaving a trail of destruction, even if the energy would finally dissipate. This needs to be investigated beforehand.
these couldn't be built for a small fraction the price by using an atmospheric vortex engine instead of a tower.
Seems like an interesting idea, replacing the tall tower with an air vortex. But I think the risks have to be researched beforehand. What you create here is a giantic tornado, so how is it guaranteed that this tornado won't suddenly rip off the base and start wandering around?!
The model for getting those already exists in Africa, where one pays the locals what the market will bear and they handle the light work, War disrupts mining, while unconventional logistics route around inconvenient situations.
What model? You mean like cotton from Burkina Faso? Where big corp suppressed the development of a local textile industry and are forcing them to repay their development loans in cotton at a price below the international mark?
What if Madagascar resists export of rare earth ores like China is doing?
Of course not. You are GOD! You don't need confirmation of anything!
Right. Robert Heinlein has several things to add:
The most preposterous notion that H. sapiens has ever dreamed up is that the Lord God of Creation, Shaper and Ruler of all the Universes, wants the saccharine adoration of His creatures, can be swayed by their prayers, and becomes petulant if He does not receive this flattery. Yet this absurd fantasy, without a shred of evidence to bolster it, pays all the expenses of the oldest, largest, and least productive industry in all history. The second most preposterous notion is that copulation is inherently sinful.
Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.
God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent — it says so right here on the label. If you have a mind capable of believing all three of these divine attributes simultaneously, I have a wonderful bargain for you. No checks, please. Cash and in small bills.
...due to its reserves in rare earth ores. Future wars will be fought not about oil but rare earth materials. And china is just too strong for the US to tackle...
Slashdot Mirror
Though wouldn't a few accelerometers inside the conductor's electronic wand be a more proven method of control?
You still need prediction because the musicians physical actions need to predate the conductors wand by several tenths of seconds.
Think of the wonders the conductor of an orchestra can accomplish
Well, think about the magic that an orchestra really performs! Musicians are not reacting to the gestures of the conductor, they predict them so they can stay ahead... and in sync. This prediction capability won't come to computing devices for quite some time, I'll predict...
Hmm, whatever that means. I for my part remain in an unimpressed state. While the idea is good, the obvious lag renders the handling rather clumsy. Combine that with no haptic feedback and the idea isn't so good anymore.
You're still having this argument?
Not exactly THIS argument, but yeah... :-)
The difference is that this time it's about really really high voltage, not about the average high voltage tension between Tesla and Edison...
The problem with high-voltage AC is that you have to dimension the insulation for the peak voltage, not the effective voltage. An AC line with effective 400kV has a peak voltage of about 560kV. Given that the power loss is proportional to the inverse square of the voltage this means that by switching from AC to DC the power loss can be halved. Given this huge advantage, the cost for the necessary high-power-switching-equipment at the end of the lines is negligible.
Furthermore, parasitic capacities limit high-voltage AC underground cables to about 70km. DC lines don't have that problem, which is why they are / will be used in the Desertec project and in offshore windparks.
Another problem of AC is the exact synchronisation of generators, otherwise the phase shift in the supplied current will lead to voltage fluctuations and can lead to the breakdown of the whole net. Again, DC doesn't have this problem.
While AC is the right choice for end usage, DC is clearly superior when it comes to high-power applications.
We have an energy DISTRIBUTION problem. The problem lies in moving the energy from where it's cheap (sunny areas for solar) to where it's needed (e.g. the cold north). So subsidizing solar isn't the whole solution unless you also start subsidizing enhancements to the electric grid. Like changing it from AC to DC to reduce energy loss.
Can you provide a host that provides that for that much money?
Yes. :-) Have a look at hosteurope.de (website only available in english, so I'm posting a google-translation link).
2GB Webspace, 2 MySQL databases, PHP 5, Python, Ruby, CGI-scripts, traffic-flatrate, EUR 15,- (USD 18,-) setup, EUR 3,50 (USD 4,34) per month.
Or: EUR 13 (USD 16) per month for a virtual linux server with unlimited traffic and 50GB diskspace.
And before you have to ask: I'm just a satisfied customer...
I don't think that money for the site is a problem, given that you can get a decent webhosting package (cgi + 2 databases) with unlimited traffic for about 50 USD per year. I'd think it's the time that must be invested to run the site. A site like this cannot run on automatic...
use perl; # :-)
Perl is a much better scripting/programming language. You can even use Tk for a more windowy experience. And if you cannot do what you want to do directly in perl, you can still call a DOS batch file that does the windows-specific things...
If somebody kills the cat lady, there will be a real trial with a real judge.
Yes, but she will be dead. Too bad, she now cannot defend herself.
If somebody vandalizes her home, there will be a real trial with a real judge.
Yes, and she must suffer a loss in both money, time and happiness. But at least she has the opportunity to prove that she is innocent.
If somebody just calls her names on a street: tough luck, but she still can survive.
Yes, she probably will survive verbal violence. Maybe she will take her own life because she cannot stand the mobbing any more. But she will die with the good feeling that she is innocent.
There is a good reason why "supposed innocent until proven guilty" must not be an empty phrase...
I do not understand why with such evidence she was not tried in court? Does not China have laws against cruelty to animals?
Cannot answer that, but having laws against cruelty to animals and executing them are two widely different things. As examples from most so-called "civilized" countries show...
violates a basic human right.
do people in China really care about human rights ?
Does Big Money worldwide really care about human rights?
Does the average anonymous netizen really care about the dignity, the feelings and the human rights of other netizens?
The problem is that those "judges" remain anonymous. I concurr that 100 people stepping out and publically stating "My name ist such-and-such, I am fully convinced that this evidence is real, is not faked and thus the accused is guilty and I accept the full consequences if my judgement is wrong" would be superior to most jury-trials. But this doesn't happen, therefore that anonymous finger-pointing is wrong.
While the public might be a good detective, it certainly is a bad judge. Given the current technology (need I say photoshop?) a picture or a video can be faked by e.g. a malicious stalker who is after destroying a persons reputation. Posting the results of such a witch hunt without the accused having the possibility to respond to the accusation and defend hirself violates a basic human right.
Does it bother anyone else that a guy named "Lineweaver" is making a car analogy that doesn't involve alcohol?
only you, M.J., only you... :-)
Hmm, searching for "Tianamen" in images still gives you pictures of the student in front of the tank. Isn't this supposed to be censored as well?!
I agree, the demo was definitely not live, there are several inconsitencies throughout the video where the software seems to read the users mind and reacts before a proper stimulus could have been detected. It was probably captured and cut together from several test runs and later reenacted. So this clip is more wishful thinking than an actual tech demo. Which is a pity, it looks promising. Hopefully it wasn't all fake...
The fact that the base is where the tornado's energy comes from. Tornadoes aren't self-sustaining. As soon as it left the base, it'd start to dissipate, from the bottom up I would think.
Sorry, no. The energy source in a tornado is the updraft along the whole column. Once a vortex is started, it would store energy in its updraft and could easily rip off the base and start wandering around, leaving a trail of destruction, even if the energy would finally dissipate. This needs to be investigated beforehand.
these couldn't be built for a small fraction the price by using an atmospheric vortex engine instead of a tower.
Seems like an interesting idea, replacing the tall tower with an air vortex. But I think the risks have to be researched beforehand. What you create here is a giantic tornado, so how is it guaranteed that this tornado won't suddenly rip off the base and start wandering around?!
The model for getting those already exists in Africa, where one pays the locals what the market will bear and they handle the light work,
War disrupts mining, while unconventional logistics route around inconvenient situations.
What model? You mean like cotton from Burkina Faso? Where big corp suppressed the development of a local textile industry and are forcing them to repay their development loans in cotton at a price below the international mark?
What if Madagascar resists export of rare earth ores like China is doing?
Of course not. You are GOD! You don't need confirmation of anything!
Right. Robert Heinlein has several things to add:
The most preposterous notion that H. sapiens has ever dreamed up is that the Lord God of Creation, Shaper and Ruler of all the Universes, wants the saccharine adoration of His creatures, can be swayed by their prayers, and becomes petulant if He does not receive this flattery. Yet this absurd fantasy, without a shred of evidence to bolster it, pays all the expenses of the oldest, largest, and least productive industry in all history.
The second most preposterous notion is that copulation is inherently sinful.
Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.
God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent — it says so right here on the label. If you have a mind capable of believing all three of these divine attributes simultaneously, I have a wonderful bargain for you. No checks, please. Cash and in small bills.
...due to its reserves in rare earth ores. Future wars will be fought not about oil but rare earth materials. And china is just too strong for the US to tackle...
China is mining a vein of Unobtainium!
...and look what they are doing to the locals!! :-((((
http://xkcd.com/632/
Thanks for the info. I only knew about her daughter getting pregnant.
OK, that's not nice either. Have you reported the picture as inappropriate to Google?