Heh, great questions. My response is a bit late... Safe limits of dust particles are set by our government, and are measured by external unbiased companies. At a certain size and below, particles are not expelled from the lungs once ingested (I forget the size). We test for both these small particles, and larger ones. We also test our environment regularly for mould, which is something I am more concerned about, as you are.
You are correct in stating that older machines that need maintenance, and are used in more extreme environments than we are used to could be more prone to small particulate emissions. New machines could also be susceptible.
My point was, that not ALL machines are bad in this case, unfortunately the media hype starts hysteria -- in this case, you took a study and it made you think -- but the average worker will go WOW. in THIS study, there seems to be one company responsible for the vast majority of defects, HP. Is it a single machine brand? Type? Model? I haven't read the article, I don't know for sure. But it certainly made our company go "hmmm" as well.
If workers are worried about their environment, they can ask management to splurge for an external contractor to come and measure the air around their printers. It's not terribly expensive, and a device capable of measuring small particulates is about $2000 or so. A worthy investment for any industrial company.
Toner particles are made of a plastic-like material that is non-toxic and are generally 10-25 um in diameter. They put additives such as SiO2 onto the surface, these are nano-scale sized particles which are generally well attached to the toner.
Claims this dust is as bad as cigarette smoking is a ridiculous statement, as toner particles are non toxic (tests have been done). Buildup in the lungs is a major issue however, as ultra-fine particles are not expelled from the lungs once inside -- this is a worry.
I work for a large toner company, and we do tests on machines in enclosed areas with experimental toners. Areas we work in are monitored for dust particles, and we are well below safe limits. If our areas are safe, then an office environment certainly should be.
Note the vast majority of problem machines are by HP -- particle emissions is not a problem in the industry, it just seems to be a problem with HP printers. HP is a manufacturer of "affordable" printers, perhaps they are not as well put together as more expensive machines. The media took a small issue and blew it out of proportion, much as it does with everything.
30 years is excessive for wanting to kill someone? Saying you're going to kill someone is one thing, and carries a light sentence. Trying to hire a hitman shows premeditation, and along with his other crimes, pushed the sentence to 30 years.
If someone wanted to kill your CHILD, wouldn't you want this disturbed individual locked away for a very long time?
In 20-30 years, someone will dig up the backups of all the crap that was deleted from Wikipedia and host it. This happened with Old Time Radio. Massive amounts of tapes have been transfered to MP3 and are easily downloadable and accessible. I enjoy many of the old radio shows from the 40's through 60's, they can be quite entertaining -- but sometimes you get commercials and "sponsors", and hearing those are fascinating.
Point is, even stuff people find mundane and boring today, people will enjoy tomorrow.
135 kg is 300 lbs, not 500. Actually the article is confusing, it says it can lift 135 kg in a single movement, but the arms are capable of carrying up to 227 kg (500 lbs).
I've seen some pigments fade *completely* when subjected to a 5-year accelerated UV test. Sometimes we have to choose pigments that aren't as brilliant or ideal as the one we want, because the pigment won't last. Seems like HP took the opposite stance -- make brilliant photos now, that don't last!
If you enjoy physics, consider the medical physics stream. There is a massive demand for physicists in the medical field in the USA, Many people go into radiation physics and imaging physics. If you aren't tied down to a location, you will be in demand with just a med phys B.Sc. degree, a M.Sc. would help. If you do a PhD, enjoy your new found wealth.
You aren't doing medicine, but are researching methods to improve existing technologies such as MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, etc. Even med phys lab techs earn good money. You also have the chance to do clinical work, depending on the type of place you work at.
With Google apps and such, you just need to log in and take care of your business. No need to worry about server updates, hacking, spam, etc. A home server takes a little effort for someone who knows how to run one, but can take a lot of time for someone unfamiliar with servers.
It's marketing fluff, plain and simple, trying to sell their new technology. It makes people think WOW. Cartridge refills is another reason of course. Any business that cares about image quality wouldn't be buying these refills, however. They are cheaper, but not as good quality, you get what you pay for.
Why don't we take automobile manufacturers to court for contributory negligence towards crashes involving drunk drivers? Sounds silly? So is blaming Microsoft for allowing malware to spread.
If everybody patched their systems when Microsoft released them, and practiced "safe surfing" habits, the Malware problem would be just a fraction of what it is today.
FYI I'm not a Windows fanboy, I use Linux at home. Linux systems are infiltrated all the time due to unpatched systems, look at web servers... It's just that people who use Linux are (generally) better at keeping their systems up to date and know what they're doing under the hood.
I don't like adblock actually. I simply use Flashblock, which removes all those irritating flash chunks from the site. If you want to view the flash part, just click it, then it will download the flash bit so you can view it.
For those annoying animated gifs, just use Page Animator, which only shows the first frame from the gif. It works like a charm.
EVERY website I visit is completely static, unless I whitelist it. These two programs make my browsing experience so much better. I heart Flashblock and Page Animator!
If you can't afford to get a dedicated server ($100+), try a VPS. I've heard fantastic things about http://www.leeware.com/ , they have rather generous unmanaged packages starting at $15 a month. Essentially it's a dedicated machine with less CPU and memory, but you have root, can install/remove whatever you want, etc.
There are tons of offers and advice at www.webhostingtalk.com , your question has been asked a million times there already.
This is not a trivial problem to solve. The Prius and other hybrids have shown increased fuel efficiency, but no where near 100 mpg. Cars of today are lighter than those behemoths from 30 years ago, aside from buyers gas guzzling SUV's, who obviously are not the target audience of fuel efficient vehicles.
To win the X-Prize, a technological breakthrough will have to occur. The X-prize focuses on something that is practical, and something that can be mass produced. This is certainly not an easy task, and I will be shocked if someone can do it by 2009.
If you had problems with Ubuntu, the user-friendly Linux distro of the world, you will not fare better with other distro's. Wait a couple years and try Linux again when it has matured some more and/or you've grown some patience.
10 years ago, only hardcore nerds used Linux. 5 years ago, Windows users tried switching, but were put off by the difficult install and idiotic Linux users with nasty support. Now we've reached a point where Linux installs fairly easily, programs are more user friendly and support is very good. But it'll still be several years yet until Linux is ready for "mom and pop".
BTW, trying to get ANY two systems to dual-boot is a struggle, and Linux is actually fairly good at it. Ever try dual-booting two Windows machines? It's not easy, and it's not necessarily Linux's fault. Get a dedicated hard drive, yank all the others out, and install it then. Or stick with a live CD.
I use flashblock and pageanimator, which disables animated gifs. EVERY page I visit is static, without crazy bouncing animations and flashing signs.
If I want to view an animation, I just put my mouse over the image and it will start animating. If I want to view the flash item, I can click the static flash image or disable flash for the page at the click of a button.
I had to use IE once to load a page, and was horrified to see what kind of crap people put up with these days...
I agree with most things you've said, including looking at "big picture" taxes. They are high here overall. It sucks.
Healthcare CAN be much better in the US, as you've stated. Wait times are much longer here unless it's been a true emergency in my experience (life/death, such as heart attack), and sometimes they will send people south. But for the general working class, although we have to wait, it doesn't cost us much (well, it's in taxes, so...). I had to wait a year for a CT-scan for disc herniation here (!!). But things cancer treatments at thousands a shot are provided for free, and no one *should* have to cover expenses for a debilitating disease.
I believe education is better in Canada, however, compared to the world, it stinks. Things cost more in Canada, there are more guns in the US, Americans have to put up with the RIAA, MPAA and Mr. Bush:p, it's a toss up to what you think is most important. There are many things I don't like about Canada, but, I'd rather live here than the US.
Where did you get 50% income tax? Even at the highest tax bracket, Ontario taxes are 40%. Other provinces do approach 50% but remember taxes are tiered -- tax rate from 0 - ~$35,000 is 28% (in Ontario). Even if you make a million, you only pay 28% on the first $35,000. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/faq/taxra tes-e.html
We Canadians are the most heavily taxed of North America, but who are we compared to? The US (which is known for lower taxes) and MEXICO. Compare it to the world -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Canada (yeah I know you can't really trust Wiki, but it should be ballpark).
Our gas is cheaper than in Europe. Healthcare is good, but long wait times unless it's life threatening. The US healthcare is shit, only if you have lots of money do you get good immediate healthcare. Don't even bother comparing education between the US and Canada! Sales tax is high, liquor tax is high, roads are crap. Overall we do pay more taxes, but we do have some benefits too.
The blame falls with both you and the ones helping you. Instead of trying their suggestions, you repeated that it didn't work, without giving concrete examples (ie, using a livecd and using that to diagnose, fdisk -l, etc). They provided lots of useful and helpful suggestions, but the actions of a couple bad apples can wreck the support environment and escalate frustration.
It would appear to me that the install hiccuped because of the 3 drives. Linux can of course be installed on any drive you like, but may require extra configuration (like yours). Using the Windows install CD was a great suggestion to get your Windows back and working, unfortunately you didn't seem to like that idea. I've only been using Ubuntu for 2 months now and am finally happy with Linux. I've tried on 3 prior occasions since 1999 to get Linux going (Mandrake, Red Hat, Fedora Core) and it was nothing but frustration, I can relate. Ubuntu "just worked", although I didn't try dual boot -- I used an old computer to run Linux with a spare hard drive, while our main system is Windows for everyone's use. No dual boot, no worries about data, if it goes south, I just reinstall.
Maybe you can try Linux again in a couple years, it might be ready for you then. Good luck.
My biggest gripe is Gmail doesn't work with tabs. When using webmail, I open email into tabs I want to read, and by the time I've finished clicking say 5 or so emails, they have finished loading into my browser and I can switch tabs to view them. Gmail doesn't allow tabbed browsing. Also I find Gmail's interface a bit clunky and limiting, much like Microsoft's products are.
My apologies, I wish there was an edit function. Another user more precisely stated that the search engines are junk, while what you have is a comprehensive list of alternative methods of searching.
I merely skimmed the list and saw a number of engines I consider poor, or are built off other engines. I don't have the time or motivation to go through each search engine to see which are good engines. Note that the article appears to be edited since I read it yesterday, and there are hyperlinks to all the search engines now. The article is much improved! I will look it over again.
I didn't see your top 10 list, however I would really enjoy a list of truly alternative search engines that can challenge Google as the top search engine. I find Google's efficiency at finding what I want not so great anymore.
A9 uses MSN or Google, SimplyGoogle uses Google, Soople uses Google, etc, etc, etc. They just provide a new or innovate method of presenting the results, the result order is still the same.
Also, Digg is listed? Del.icio.us? AOL???
I'd rather have a top-10 list of REAL alternative search engines, not "portals" and such written by a SEO of a search engine optimization company.
ANYTHING out of the ordinary can push potential buyers away. There are some people who would like this setup, but really, look at the pictures -- it's a nice theatre, but not everyone wants to dedicate an entire room to watch movies or TV. Put a pool table, bar and some comfortable couches and you have a nice lounging room.
Slashdot Mirror
You are correct in stating that older machines that need maintenance, and are used in more extreme environments than we are used to could be more prone to small particulate emissions. New machines could also be susceptible.
My point was, that not ALL machines are bad in this case, unfortunately the media hype starts hysteria -- in this case, you took a study and it made you think -- but the average worker will go WOW. in THIS study, there seems to be one company responsible for the vast majority of defects, HP. Is it a single machine brand? Type? Model? I haven't read the article, I don't know for sure. But it certainly made our company go "hmmm" as well.
If workers are worried about their environment, they can ask management to splurge for an external contractor to come and measure the air around their printers. It's not terribly expensive, and a device capable of measuring small particulates is about $2000 or so. A worthy investment for any industrial company.
Claims this dust is as bad as cigarette smoking is a ridiculous statement, as toner particles are non toxic (tests have been done). Buildup in the lungs is a major issue however, as ultra-fine particles are not expelled from the lungs once inside -- this is a worry.
I work for a large toner company, and we do tests on machines in enclosed areas with experimental toners. Areas we work in are monitored for dust particles, and we are well below safe limits. If our areas are safe, then an office environment certainly should be.
Note the vast majority of problem machines are by HP -- particle emissions is not a problem in the industry, it just seems to be a problem with HP printers. HP is a manufacturer of "affordable" printers, perhaps they are not as well put together as more expensive machines. The media took a small issue and blew it out of proportion, much as it does with everything.
If someone wanted to kill your CHILD, wouldn't you want this disturbed individual locked away for a very long time?
Point is, even stuff people find mundane and boring today, people will enjoy tomorrow.
Pretty cool, you can zoom right in. Guess we'll have to wait for Google to scan the Earth at night so we can see it exposed ;).
135 kg is 300 lbs, not 500. Actually the article is confusing, it says it can lift 135 kg in a single movement, but the arms are capable of carrying up to 227 kg (500 lbs).
I've seen some pigments fade *completely* when subjected to a 5-year accelerated UV test. Sometimes we have to choose pigments that aren't as brilliant or ideal as the one we want, because the pigment won't last. Seems like HP took the opposite stance -- make brilliant photos now, that don't last!
http://toronto.virtualcity.ca/ has had street level images for Toronto for some time now, and combines it with Google Maps. Works pretty nice.
You aren't doing medicine, but are researching methods to improve existing technologies such as MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, etc. Even med phys lab techs earn good money. You also have the chance to do clinical work, depending on the type of place you work at.
It's like saying "Math has been solved". Wow, that's terrific!! Thanks for the tip.
With Google apps and such, you just need to log in and take care of your business. No need to worry about server updates, hacking, spam, etc. A home server takes a little effort for someone who knows how to run one, but can take a lot of time for someone unfamiliar with servers.
It's marketing fluff, plain and simple, trying to sell their new technology. It makes people think WOW. Cartridge refills is another reason of course. Any business that cares about image quality wouldn't be buying these refills, however. They are cheaper, but not as good quality, you get what you pay for.
If everybody patched their systems when Microsoft released them, and practiced "safe surfing" habits, the Malware problem would be just a fraction of what it is today.
FYI I'm not a Windows fanboy, I use Linux at home. Linux systems are infiltrated all the time due to unpatched systems, look at web servers ... It's just that people who use Linux are (generally) better at keeping their systems up to date and know what they're doing under the hood.
For those annoying animated gifs, just use Page Animator, which only shows the first frame from the gif. It works like a charm.
EVERY website I visit is completely static, unless I whitelist it. These two programs make my browsing experience so much better. I heart Flashblock and Page Animator!
There are tons of offers and advice at www.webhostingtalk.com , your question has been asked a million times there already.
To win the X-Prize, a technological breakthrough will have to occur. The X-prize focuses on something that is practical, and something that can be mass produced. This is certainly not an easy task, and I will be shocked if someone can do it by 2009.
10 years ago, only hardcore nerds used Linux. 5 years ago, Windows users tried switching, but were put off by the difficult install and idiotic Linux users with nasty support. Now we've reached a point where Linux installs fairly easily, programs are more user friendly and support is very good. But it'll still be several years yet until Linux is ready for "mom and pop".
BTW, trying to get ANY two systems to dual-boot is a struggle, and Linux is actually fairly good at it. Ever try dual-booting two Windows machines? It's not easy, and it's not necessarily Linux's fault. Get a dedicated hard drive, yank all the others out, and install it then. Or stick with a live CD.
If I want to view an animation, I just put my mouse over the image and it will start animating. If I want to view the flash item, I can click the static flash image or disable flash for the page at the click of a button.
I had to use IE once to load a page, and was horrified to see what kind of crap people put up with these days...
Healthcare CAN be much better in the US, as you've stated. Wait times are much longer here unless it's been a true emergency in my experience (life/death, such as heart attack), and sometimes they will send people south. But for the general working class, although we have to wait, it doesn't cost us much (well, it's in taxes, so ...). I had to wait a year for a CT-scan for disc herniation here (!!). But things cancer treatments at thousands a shot are provided for free, and no one *should* have to cover expenses for a debilitating disease.
I believe education is better in Canada, however, compared to the world, it stinks. Things cost more in Canada, there are more guns in the US, Americans have to put up with the RIAA, MPAA and Mr. Bush :p, it's a toss up to what you think is most important. There are many things I don't like about Canada, but, I'd rather live here than the US.
Where did you get 50% income tax? Even at the highest tax bracket, Ontario taxes are 40%. Other provinces do approach 50% but remember taxes are tiered -- tax rate from 0 - ~$35,000 is 28% (in Ontario). Even if you make a million, you only pay 28% on the first $35,000. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/faq/taxra tes-e.html
We Canadians are the most heavily taxed of North America, but who are we compared to? The US (which is known for lower taxes) and MEXICO. Compare it to the world -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Canada (yeah I know you can't really trust Wiki, but it should be ballpark).
Our gas is cheaper than in Europe. Healthcare is good, but long wait times unless it's life threatening. The US healthcare is shit, only if you have lots of money do you get good immediate healthcare. Don't even bother comparing education between the US and Canada! Sales tax is high, liquor tax is high, roads are crap. Overall we do pay more taxes, but we do have some benefits too.
It would appear to me that the install hiccuped because of the 3 drives. Linux can of course be installed on any drive you like, but may require extra configuration (like yours). Using the Windows install CD was a great suggestion to get your Windows back and working, unfortunately you didn't seem to like that idea. I've only been using Ubuntu for 2 months now and am finally happy with Linux. I've tried on 3 prior occasions since 1999 to get Linux going (Mandrake, Red Hat, Fedora Core) and it was nothing but frustration, I can relate. Ubuntu "just worked", although I didn't try dual boot -- I used an old computer to run Linux with a spare hard drive, while our main system is Windows for everyone's use. No dual boot, no worries about data, if it goes south, I just reinstall.
Maybe you can try Linux again in a couple years, it might be ready for you then. Good luck.
My biggest gripe is Gmail doesn't work with tabs. When using webmail, I open email into tabs I want to read, and by the time I've finished clicking say 5 or so emails, they have finished loading into my browser and I can switch tabs to view them. Gmail doesn't allow tabbed browsing. Also I find Gmail's interface a bit clunky and limiting, much like Microsoft's products are.
I merely skimmed the list and saw a number of engines I consider poor, or are built off other engines. I don't have the time or motivation to go through each search engine to see which are good engines. Note that the article appears to be edited since I read it yesterday, and there are hyperlinks to all the search engines now. The article is much improved! I will look it over again.
I didn't see your top 10 list, however I would really enjoy a list of truly alternative search engines that can challenge Google as the top search engine. I find Google's efficiency at finding what I want not so great anymore.
A9 uses MSN or Google, SimplyGoogle uses Google, Soople uses Google, etc, etc, etc. They just provide a new or innovate method of presenting the results, the result order is still the same.
Also, Digg is listed? Del.icio.us? AOL???
I'd rather have a top-10 list of REAL alternative search engines, not "portals" and such written by a SEO of a search engine optimization company.
It's great, but, not my cup of tea.