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User: camperdave

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  1. Re:Never knew the concert conductor did that! on Scientists Overcome One of the Biggest Limits In Fiber Optic Networks · · Score: 1

    Maybe, but I suspect maybe not. The electromagnetic spectrum (which includes light frequencies) has particular characteristics that do not change much with increases in frequencies, closed system or not.

    Granted, but optical signals are not generated by a coil of wire and interleaved metal plates. You can't just tweak a capacitor to adjust the frequency of a laser.

  2. Re:This problem needs a technical solution on Drone Diverts Firefighting Planes, Incurring $10,000 Cost · · Score: 1

    ...fire-fighting aircraft should also be drones.

    That is a very good point. On the other hand, smoke-jumpers must be airlifted.

  3. Re:simple answer on Drone Diverts Firefighting Planes, Incurring $10,000 Cost · · Score: 1

    Shooting down a small UAV/drone/RC aircraft is not a simple task.

  4. Re:This problem needs a technical solution on Drone Diverts Firefighting Planes, Incurring $10,000 Cost · · Score: 1

    No private citizen NEEDS a gun either; or a car, or a computer, or porno magazines. That doesn't mean we can't have them.

    The reality of the situation is that the persons taking video of the fire with their fancy flying cameras were probably unaware that they were interfering with the fire-fighting effort.

  5. Re:This problem needs a technical solution on Drone Diverts Firefighting Planes, Incurring $10,000 Cost · · Score: 1

    There's precious little metal in a goose.

  6. Re:Illogical on Wi-Fi Router's 'Pregnant Women' Setting Sparks Vendor Rivalry In China · · Score: 1

    Sounds like Mythbuster methodology to me.

  7. Re:It's just grumbling about US investigations on Russian Official Calls For "International Investigation" of the Apollo Program · · Score: 1

    As the US would say: Justice has no borders - as demonstrated by the movie Smokey and The Bandit.

  8. Re:Of course not. on Russian Official Calls For "International Investigation" of the Apollo Program · · Score: 1

    How do we know that what is retro-reflecting isn't a natural phenomenon that has been there all along? Do you have proof that there was no reflective surfaces on the moon PRIOR to the supposed lunar landings? If not, retro-reflection does not prove a Moon landing.

  9. Re: Of course not. on Russian Official Calls For "International Investigation" of the Apollo Program · · Score: 1

    Either that or ewoks are tasty.

  10. Re:maybe robots can fly the drones on USAF Cuts Drone Flights As Stress Drives Off Operators · · Score: 0

    Same as any IT position: eye strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, long hours of motionlessness, bosses with over-exaggerated expectations... the usual.

  11. Re:Card skimmers on Hacks To Be Truly Paranoid About · · Score: 1

    Don't you balance your books, or read your bank statements? I'd notice that sort of thing straight away, because the bank records would not match my personal records.

  12. Re: Brings back memories on Toshiba Introduces a Cortana Keyboard Button For Windows 10 · · Score: 1

    Exactly. I don't know how many times I was mouseless and had to hit the start menu.

  13. Re:What is being missed... is the $2 million part. on Commodore PC Still Controls Heat and A/C At 19 Michigan Public Schools · · Score: 1

    It's not just a question of context. It stems from a misunderstanding of the use of "beg" to mean "assume" instead of "ask for."

    True. The mistake of using begging to mean assuming has been kicking around since the 16th century when "petitio principi" was mis-translated. Like you say, too late to do anything about it now.

  14. Re:What is being missed... is the $2 million part. on Commodore PC Still Controls Heat and A/C At 19 Michigan Public Schools · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Which begs the question - if it still works, why replace it?

    It raises the question. Begging the question means something completely different.

    No. Begging the question DOES mean raising the question.

    The term "begging the question" originated in the 16th century as a mistranslation of Latin petitio principii ("assuming the initial point").[2] In modern vernacular usage, "to beg the question" sometimes also means "to raise the question"

    Here's the thing: words and phrases can mean different things depending on the context. "Begs the question", when followed by a question means raises the question. "Begs the question" when talking about an argument means the obscure and antiquated English mis-translation of the older Latin mis-translation of the Greek phrase.

    I suggest that you give it a rest. You're fighting the same losing battle that was fought over "gay" and "hacker". You won't change the public's mind, so the best outcome you'll ever get is looking like a pompous blow-hard. So, if that's what you're after, then have at it. Otherwise, learn to shut your trap and roll with it.

  15. Re:What is being missed... is the $2 million part. on Commodore PC Still Controls Heat and A/C At 19 Michigan Public Schools · · Score: 2

    Even unused, electronic components fail with age. Capacitors leak. Wires corrode. Plastics become brittle. Ceramics crack. Don't expect the same lifespan from your cold spares as you have gotten from your live device.

  16. Re:Control Looking for a Problem on NASA Building Air Traffic Control System For Drones · · Score: 1

    Yes, it is the presidency, and no amount of managing teenage burger-flippers is going to prepare a person for the kinds of decisions a president has to make: Commander in Chief of the largest military force on the planet, dealing with ambassadors, reviewing bills that affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people, making decisions that affect the entire planet. It's not the kind of job for which there is any training available.

  17. Re:Control Looking for a Problem on NASA Building Air Traffic Control System For Drones · · Score: 1

    The implication is that the founding fathers expected the electorate to make sound choices, and not to limit the office to an elite segment of the population

  18. Wasted time on Turning a Nail Polish Disaster Into a Teachable Math Moment · · Score: 1

    If you'd attacked the stain right away, before the solvents evaporated, you could have cleaned up the wall. But instead you chose to grab a camera and take pictures, and solve math problems with your kid. Now you've got a minor DIY nightmare on your hands. Consider yourself lucky if your wife allows you to use the same colors, and doesn't consider this an opportunity for a bathroom makeover.

  19. Re:Control Looking for a Problem on NASA Building Air Traffic Control System For Drones · · Score: 1

    I don't recall managing a restaurant being part of the constitutional requirements for the office of president.

  20. Re:Flying Cars on NASA Building Air Traffic Control System For Drones · · Score: 1

    Flying cars have been around for decades. Hover-cars... not so much.

  21. Re:Worth anything? on Jewels From an Ethiopian Grave Reveal 2,000-Year-Old Link To Rome · · Score: 1

    The Ethiopians saw their pretty penny when they sold the treasures in the first place.

  22. Re:Obligatory on NASA To Test Inflatable Donut For Landing On Mars · · Score: 1

    No. J-LO is the actress. JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) is the space people.

  23. Re:Obligatory on NASA To Test Inflatable Donut For Landing On Mars · · Score: 1

    No. Uranus has a thick enough atmosphere that we could do aerobraking and parachutes.

  24. Re:Great tool for insurance companies, too on New Test Could Reveal Every Virus That's Ever Infected You · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    For example, someone with antibodies for 50 different flu strains is clearly taking more risk than someone who has only, say, 10.

    Yeah... Or maybe they've had 50 different flu shots.

  25. Re:It's not stealing. on Bell Media President Says Canadians Are 'Stealing' US Netflix Content · · Score: 1

    I can tune in several over the air American channels here in Canada. Since the intent of the distributor is to offer the content only in the USA, is it copyright infringement for me to view them?