Did you notice the similarity between the pics displayed on Apple's website and the pics on the sites being sued? They were the same photos, photos which I imagine Apple holds the copyright for. THAT'S the legal basis.
Develop a palm application - Palm emulators are available out there, so you don't even need palm pilots for everybody - just a.rom file. This would be tons of fun because it would give them a chance to see something beyond "Hello World!", and I think it is highly more accessible to young programmers than, say, MFC. And because Palm development is so easy (IMHO) it would be almost immediately rewarding to your students, because they would quickly have a visual means of seeing their progress. As an added benefit, it would be a good chance for you to introduce event driven applications to your students. Worried about price? Palm.com has links to lots of material to aid in your development.
4500 customers? Let's just talk about the US, forgetting the world's population. There are almost 300 million people in the United States. Do you honestly think the Mouse would be worried about ruffling the feathers of 4500 customers? Lets say they had decided against restoring the Japanese track. I'm willing to bet the hard core Anime fans would probably have forked over the money for the DVD as is - especially since Princess Mononoke is an incredible film, directed/written by Hayao Miyazaki - a legend.
Disney had a choice, easily, but kudos to them for making the right choice and pushing back the release date so as to make up for their original lack of judgment.
I've got some bad news for you. Have you noticed the increased traffic at/. in the last year? The increase in comments (and poor comments at that)? Slashdot can't stay the same, because (at this rate) soon it will become too big for its own briches. Somehow, either the moderation process or the posting process will have to change, otherwise the moderators won't stand a chance of catching the gems.
This is a point in Cambpell's favor. It shows that he can play more than just the meathead hero. Anyhoo, other TV shows have a history of amnesia over actors previous stints on the same show. Case in point, Jerry Orbach played a lawyer on an episode of Law & Order before he joined the cast as Detective Lenny Briscoe.
I hope Chris Carter checks out/. Afterall, this is a big part of his fanbase...
And, BTW, this goes out to all of X-Files critics. X-Files has been exceptional this season. Did you see these episodes? They were fabulous: The episode where Mulder finds a genie and wishes for world peace - "Je Souhaite"; The episode where the X-Files are made into a movie starring Gary Shandling - "Hollywood A.D"; Kathy Griffith's episode as a pair of havoc wrecking twins - "Fight Club". I didn't get a chance to see the episode done as an episode of Cops, but, regardless, it was a fairly inventive season.
A show featuring The Lone Gunmen (as the geeks are called) - Byers, Langly and Frohike - is already in the works for next season. Yahoo!!! See the IMDB for quick confirmation on this. Its already filming.
According to Brittanica.com, people blink at a rate ranging from once every two to ten seconds. I'd be curious to figure out EXACTLY how such a piece of software would determine whether you were blinking for the sake of blinking, or blinking to activate something on the computer. Presumably, it would keep track of how often you normally blink, along with standard deviations from that pattern, and then say, "ooooo, that was quick - better send a message to the application...". This leads to one major problem: What if I have something in my eye, and I start blinking a whole lot? Is it going to open every application I have? Even if we forced a double blink, this could potentially be a problem. Blinking, unfortunately, is not a very well regulated activity - we do it often, and we can come up with averages for intervals, but for a computer to decide whether I really meant to initiate an action, or whether I am just having a crazy eye spasm has got to be difficult. Mouse clicks are easy. They are a definite action - which demands a definite response on the part of an application.
Personally, I'm skeptical of their use of Bayesian statistics. I remember reading a book called Blind Man's Bluff (ISBN: 006103004X), which was an account of many of the supersecret, dangerous missions the US subforce has been tasked with in the past 50 years. In a sort of Hunt for Red October vein, the US DoD was aware of a number of downed Russian subs, and wanted to go looking for them, but where to look? One of their guys used Bayes' theories to come up with approximate locations of the sub in question - but the input data came not from sensor readings, but from best guesses. Basically, each expert decided where they would search for the sub and placed a weight on that position, like they were betting, and then they fed those points, along with the weights, into a Bayesian equation. The sub ended up being a couple hundred feet from where it was predicted to be. It was pretty cool. Now, this seems kindof absurd, right? I'll tell you where I think the boat is and you'll tell me where you think it is, and together we'll be right? Huh? I mean, it's just a guess... What the guy who came up with this system relied on was that these best guesses were really educated best guesses, and making these points better choices than random points. We each have a bit more knowledge than we can vocalize, which is where a lot of intuition comes from.
So, what I don't remember was whether relying on human best guesses was part of the Bayesian model, or if it was just something this subhunter came up with.
Which leads us to the problem at hand - I as a human could probably come up with best guesses as to whether or not you want this piece of mail, but can an AI-based piece of software do that? Would Bayes approve?
Mass transit is impractical for the solutions to the US's travel/fuel problems. The land area of the United States is 9,158,960 sq km (see CIA World Factbook). It is enormous - which is why mass transit is impractical on a large scale. I've lived out in the country for almost my entire life. 15 miles to the grocery store. In mass metropolitan centers, mass transportation is a definite bonus and should be utilized, but not everyone lives in such areas. Mass transit is impractical in most of the US due to the low population density throughout farmland. That's really the problem - MASS transit is only economical where there are massive amounts of people (hence, "mass transit").
Furthermore, gasoline (or diesel) is not necessarily a lifestyle choice. How do you think farmers plow their fields? With teams of oxen or horses? Generally, (with exceptions for the Amish and others) the answer is no. They do so with tractors - which use FUEL. How would you provide for the planting, tending, and harvesting of America's farm land, which not only provides crops for us, but for the world as well? (When crops aren't rotting in silos - but that's another issue.)
And, on a semi-separate note, why should I be forced to live in areas that have mass transit? I like the fields and the forests around me. I like being able to actually see the Milky Way at night. I loved the small, agricultural community I grew up in, and I would not choose to abandon it, but then again, unlike many of my farmer neighbors, I can afford that luxury even in the face of fuel costs.
How about, instead of.gnu,.gpl - all licenses given out with the.gpl TLD would have to be associated with projects covered under the GPL.
However, the article stated that proposals for TLD aren't even being considered at the moment - ICANN is still trying to hash out a procedure for determining TLDs. Does anyone have any suggestions for such distribution?
Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
That (in combination of the necessary and proper clause) is where it says that Medicare is a valid function of the government. Congress provides for the general welfare of the United States and so it is the duty of this government to ensure that we are all taken care of. Furthermore, you assume that a private solution may be found, and I tell you that there are those people out there for whom no one cares, though we don't care to admit that to ourselves. People without family. Jane and John Does walking amongst us who have no safety nets. And when they fall sick, only the government is left to provide for them.
I know all too well what the taxation rates are like (I work - a LOT), but you know what? If someone is making under 10 or 15 grand a year, I'm really not going to bear them any malice if they don't have to pay income taxes. They probably already have it tough enough.
Movie reviews almost always involve plot summaries. You can't properly review a movie without analyzing its story, because in rating a film, you have to rate how well it tells its story, and how compelling that story is.
Yes, this review talked about the final "battle", but it didn't give away the resolution of that battle, and so I think it is safe to say that it was not, in fact, a spoiler.
And you can't expect reviews not to use dialogue, because dialogue is another key element within film, and if one is going to critique a film, one must evaluate a film's dialogue. If we didn't include such elements in a film review, you would be left with very little indeed. Critics use such elements to highlight how the film functions - to give us a sense of what the film is really about. They bring dialogue and scene descriptions into their reviews to support their critiques and praise. It is their evidence.
If you just want a rating, go to RottenTomatoes and look at the ratings without reading the actual reviews, because a review must bring the film into its discussion, and that is not, apparently, what you want.
And what you, good sir or madame, are showing is your own ignorance of the ideals this nation was founded on. Among the amendments to the constitution is one which forbids any states to enforce a poll tax on its citizens in order to vote. The poll tax was set so that the poor, most especially, the newly freed slaves, would be unable to vote in our elections. It was a means of weeding out the voices which the powerful did not want heard.
When we introduce restraints on voting - tests, taxes, etc. - we give those in power a means of filtering out from the voting public those persons which would threaten their power. The day we allow such restraints is the day that we give up our freedom - because we will have lost all power to check that of the governing branches.
You would seriously bar those on medicare from voting? People who are often too sick to pay their own medical bills? I'm frightened - really.
He has designed a portal similar to the metal detectors common at airports and courthouses. As people pass through, a sample of the air from each thermal plume would be analyzed to see if the person was carrying a bomb or other contraband.
Actually, the article does not say that this detector takes a couple of seconds. It says that the sample can be taken as people walk through and pause for a few seconds. The time to analyze said sample is not given. Furthermore, one imagines that such determination might fluctuate depending on what the flakes are being analyzed for - and how many different substances are being checked for at one time.
Mr. Settles says his invention could also be used to detect smuggled money, narcotics, chemical or biological warfare agents, nuclear substances like uranium, or other hazardous material.
Smuggled money as opposed to non-smuggled money, eh? How does the money know? Does it alter its chemical makeup if it thinks its being smuggled?
I would imagine that insurance premiums may very well be partially based on the security of the system, as determined by "experts" within such insurance firms. This is akin to the premiums we pay for health insurance - a "healthy" adult will, on average, pay less in premiums than an overweight adult with high blood pressure, high susceptibility to heart disease, and a smoking habit who happens to enjoy sky diving and tinkering with Russian nuclear reactors in places beginning with the letter "C".
This may prove to be a very interesting market for persons in the IT industry. (Lookout Lloyd's - here I come! *grin*) I imagine that such insurance agencies will also insist on having certain bare minimum security procedures fulfilled in order to even be eligible for coverage.
Interesting to see which OS would have higher premiums on average, eh?
What Toysmart is doing is actually pretty sly. They aren't actually selling the data as a company normally sells a product, they are selling it as a part of the Toysmart pie. Toysmart will not be able to sell the data over and over again, as one sells normally sells an application; this is a one-shot deal - winner take all. Toysmart is carving up what remains of its corporate corpse and selling off the pieces to the highest bidders.
Furthermore, it seems entirely possible that whoever purchases the piece with the database prize piece contained therein will be bound by the same agreement Toysmart made to all it collected data from.
So how do we fight technology like this? Will clothing be developed that will attract our skin flakes to minimize the sample this machine gets? Personally, I'm fearful of a state in which I might have to give up my genetic "secrets" just to hitch a ride on plane. Watch out GATTACA.
And what I REALLY want to know is, how long does it take this machine to test each person? Metal detectors slow things up considerably at airports, and they are nearly instantaneous.
And what about perfumes and deodorants - how do these things change the ability of this sensor to do its job? Interesting possibilities...
I agree with the article in that I don't think that the manner in which computers are utilized in elementary school classrooms is beneficial to young students. However, how many of the arguments made in the article could be used just as easily against your everyday, plain vanilla book?
Healy would not introduce computers until the seventh grade. Theodore Roszak, a history professor and author of The Cult of Information, would wait until high school. Computers download information, he says. They do not teach children to think.
"The Internet," Roszak recently told The Dallas Morning News, "offers electronic graffiti. The idea that they should be swimming in a sea of information is idiotic. The essence of thinking is mastering ideas."
Books offer information. Encyclopedias offer "seas" of information. Are these things bad? No. Absolutely not. Computers can display information in a format almost comparable to the manner in which books are used. As technology increases, text books will be replaced by webpads and similar devices. To say that computers are bad simply because they offer a link to immense amounts of data is absurd. Computers go BEYOND books however, because they can offer interaction. The format in which information can be displayed, manipulated, and updated is far beyond that of paper books.
If computers are to be properly utilized in classroom settings at a young age, the software must change. The hardware will probably need to change as well - something more akin in concept to the PalmPilot than to a standard desktop. Proper applications would combine textbooks with homework so that while a student was reading a section, they could also answer questions and perhaps that software would offer feedback. (Computers in classrooms could become something like an interactive workbook.) Computers, however, cannot replace the interactive, highly flexible feedback of a teacher for a young student. The encouragement and support of a good teacher is immeasurable in the good it does a pupil.
So, let us suppose that applications are not where they ought to be in the classroom at this time, and we nix them for now. What about computers at home?
Headmaster Merrill Hall said computers are not introduced until the fifth grade, and parents of children in grades K-4 are even encouraged not to let their children use computers at home.
I whole heartedly disagree. I'm 22 and just finishing up in college (CIS). I remember when the Mac first came out and my father brought it home. All I played with was MacPaint (mmmm.... B&W monitors...) - and I had a blast. The amount of fun I had was entirely up to me - just like playing with GI Joe, or any playing with crayons. To say that computers shatter a child's creativity is silly. And in those first few naive moments with MacPaint, I lost any fear or apprehension I might have had about working with computers for my entire life.
How a computer affects children is related to how that computer is utilized. If you buy a program for your young child, check it out and make sure it is worthy of their time - that it IS something which will foster their creativity and their reasoning. If its mindless, ax it. Don't let them sit at the computer all day - make sure you introduce them to social situations to - either by playing with the neighbor's kids, your other children, group sports (little league, soccer, etc.), or maybe music lessons. Something. If we want well-rounded, educated children, we must expose them to a variety of learning experiences and environments. The computer is not the answer, but it can be a PART of the solution.
Literature, Poetic License, and God
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Calculating God
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When commenting on the lack of research and logic of an author within the context of the plot of a novel, one should probably read the novel first before making such comments. Sorry, pet peeve of mine.
Also, Aliens with more advance technology whic could convince an Atheists her that there was a god, would probable not have made the leap of logic to assume that there was some kind of after life, i.e. planets getting hit with metiors simultaniously dose not imply after life period, it implies a big alien race which is wiping out the big stupid animals so that smaller intelegent animals will evolve.
Pardon me, but how is this final conclusion implied at all? In the next paragraph, Weezul argues that paleontologists believe such events stunt growth in intelligence among species, so it is irrational to argue initially that "a big alien race" would have bombed a planet with asteroids as a means of speeding up growth in intelligence. I find it far fetched that a "big alien race" would channel its technical expertise into directing large asteroids into distant planets so that intelligent life might be spurned on more quickly, and I know someone will reply and say, "yeah, but how probable is it that a deity is going to direct asteroids for those same reasons," but thats not my point. I just don't understand why one would argue that such a point is the logical implication, period. It seems to me that a such simultaneous events could lead to a great many implications, and that it is in only studying the novel that we can understand why the aliens of this book chose as they did.
We cannot comment on an author's conclusions without fully considering the plot in which that author is working, and so I think such criticisms, without an actual analysis of the book itself, are neither fair nor just. Just because religious sensibilities, which people may or may not agree with, are the topic of such a work, does not change that in literary criticism, we ought to involve the actual book and plot within such criticism.
In another vein (responding to comments of Frank Herbert's work), I have very much cherished/enjoyed Herbert's Dune series, with special emphasis on books 1 and 6 (Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune). I reveled in the exciting political ways in which religion was utilized as a means of control, and I recognize how valid such criticisms (of religion) are. With that in mind, I am still very much a Christian. In fact, because I realize the tremendous power religion can give to someone willing to utilize it in a position of power, I have become much more dedicated in my studies of Christianity, lest I be duped. And no doubt, someone will reply and tell me that I have been duped, but I reply, in advance, that I have found great security in my studies, both biblical and historical.
I decided that I needed to study the faith of my childhood as much as possible, lest I be wrong. I would not want to sit back idly throughout my entire life accepting what my parents taught me and find out in the end that I had been wrong. (Or not find out anything, as the case may be). Nor did I want to reject my early faith simply because religion is not fashionable within a great deal of scientific society. We owe it to ourselves to be certain of our religious convictions, because they are deeply personal and carry with them a great weight into our lives and, depending on your beliefs, afterlifes. What we choose now may have considerable ramifications after we are dead. Or they may not. But I urge everyone to deeply consider why they believe whatever they do, because it is so very important.
First of all, is it known whether or not there is already such a set of awards on the internet there which might already be fulfilling this role (one specifically tailored toward webfilms)? Perhaps our friends from AtomFilms might be able to answer this?
As for categories, as Yanna suggested, we might desire a distinction between live action and animated films, with distinctions between films based on length as well. There should also probably be a greater difference than short and full-length, perhaps 3 categories total. One for films under, oh, say 10 minutes. One for films under an hour, and one for full-length films.
The first annual awards should probably be limited, but designed with the idea that more categories be added later, as webfilms grow in diversity, technique, and complexity. Best Actor, Best Actress, and perhaps Best Animated Character (much like awards for best costuming and art design, but on a character level) should probably be included in this first round, along with Director, Screenplay, Sound, etc. with one set for each category of film (Full length Live Action, or Medium length Animated).
As for voting, might I suggest that voting privileges not be granted to the general public, but only to those associated with the webfilm industry - actors, animators, directors, etc. This, of course, would require a screening process, which would be somewhat laborious, especially for the first few years. A person would only be granted such privileges if they receive credit on a webfilm - either past or present.
In order to be nominated for such a reward, the film would undergo a registration with the awards site, which would allow the awards academy (as it were) to log new voters, as well as the websites where the film may be viewed and the dates of availability. This would be especially useful, as this site could then become not unly a hub for the awards themselves, but for average netizens to find and locate such films.
Hmmm... as I think of it, perhaps actual film nomination would be done by general voting on the web (with IP filtering to guard against some of the more obvious ballot stuffing), with final nomination coming from a panel. Then the final nominees would be turned lose on those actually registered in the webfilm industry.
As for a name, perhaps the Digital Film Awards or Internet Movie Awards (hmmm... the Imas -it almost has a ring to it. Almost.)? I must admit that even though we are moving away from the medium of film, I like the word "film" ever so much more than "movie".
Whatever the name, whatever the structure, in the end, it must be built to stand the test of time. It must be built to become an organization of prestige - so that the awards actually are something of value to those who receive them. Receiving even a final nomination ought to be impressive and exciting for those in the industry, and so these awards must be structured for growth and change, so that they do not become as outdated as the Oscars.
When you say that computer boxes might make up 0.001% of the total paper mass of garbage, you illustrate your lack of understanding of the issue. The point is: we don't need the extra cardboard in the box.
No matter how glossy and flashy the packaging is, the size of a box containing software ought to be inline with the volume of what is contained inside it. Consider how much more cramped our landfills would be if AOL were widely distributed in such a fashion. Disgusting. (The new DVD-like cases are bad enough.)
Does "Titan A.E" use standard Hollywood formulas? Yes. Can you see some of the script coming from other popular films? Yes. Is it unimaginative? Absolutely not.
"Tital A.E." was a great introduction to American audiences of what animation could be. Animation can be a field of film with more genres than the one The Mouse has defined for it. "The Last Unicorn", "The Iron Giant", and "Princess Mononoke" are all excellent examples of the genres that could exist if film executives got behind animation here in America. But how many million did "Iron Giant" pull in? It was a film critically praised by many in the film industry, but close to no one actually saw it, and, unlike "Mononoke", it was widely distributed here in America. The VHS version even comes with a toy - but how many of you have seen it?
So, if we really think animation is viable form for more than just song and dance with cute commercial tie-ins at McDonald's, we need to support films that stretch the current boundaries Disney has set for it.
That being the case, what ought to have "Titan A.E." been? Funny. Adventure packed. Paying homage to all those films we have ever loved, and all those films, outside of the animated, that it would like to become. Sure, it failed in some of those respects. It comes off as rip-off in places. Instead of being a homage to Star Wars in places, it sounds like they're trying to copy it. But then "Titan's" creativity catches you and you are enthralled. The chase through the hydrogen fields is imaginative and just plain cool, and the aliens of that planet, aiding Cale et al., are every bit as courageous and honorable as we could have hoped for. They are as good as the Drej are bad, but Katz fails to notice that there are multiple alien species within this movie, and so he sees "Titan" as one-sided. He's wrong.
My favorite character was Gune, the green li'l inventor guy. He's adorable. He invents something in his sleep, but he forgets what it does. There's a button... It's endearing and funny all at the same time.
No - this was not a masterpiece, but was it better than the usual drivel? Absolutely. Go see it. Have a fun time. Enjoy yourself. And enjoy a glimpse of what American animation might yet become.
Slashdot Mirror
Did you notice the similarity between the pics displayed on Apple's website and the pics on the sites being sued? They were the same photos, photos which I imagine Apple holds the copyright for. THAT'S the legal basis.
Have fun. Best of luck.
Disney had a choice, easily, but kudos to them for making the right choice and pushing back the release date so as to make up for their original lack of judgment.
I've got some bad news for you. Have you noticed the increased traffic at /. in the last year? The increase in comments (and poor comments at that)? Slashdot can't stay the same, because (at this rate) soon it will become too big for its own briches. Somehow, either the moderation process or the posting process will have to change, otherwise the moderators won't stand a chance of catching the gems.
Things change. And so will /.
Mod this parent up. FUNNNNNNY.
I hope Chris Carter checks out /. Afterall, this is a big part of his fanbase...
And, BTW, this goes out to all of X-Files critics. X-Files has been exceptional this season. Did you see these episodes? They were fabulous: The episode where Mulder finds a genie and wishes for world peace - "Je Souhaite"; The episode where the X-Files are made into a movie starring Gary Shandling - "Hollywood A.D"; Kathy Griffith's episode as a pair of havoc wrecking twins - "Fight Club". I didn't get a chance to see the episode done as an episode of Cops, but, regardless, it was a fairly inventive season.
A show featuring The Lone Gunmen (as the geeks are called) - Byers, Langly and Frohike - is already in the works for next season. Yahoo!!! See the IMDB for quick confirmation on this. Its already filming.
Will this be a case of natural selection, with the winking-impaired left by the wayside? ;-)
According to Brittanica.com, people blink at a rate ranging from once every two to ten seconds. I'd be curious to figure out EXACTLY how such a piece of software would determine whether you were blinking for the sake of blinking, or blinking to activate something on the computer. Presumably, it would keep track of how often you normally blink, along with standard deviations from that pattern, and then say, "ooooo, that was quick - better send a message to the application...". This leads to one major problem: What if I have something in my eye, and I start blinking a whole lot? Is it going to open every application I have? Even if we forced a double blink, this could potentially be a problem. Blinking, unfortunately, is not a very well regulated activity - we do it often, and we can come up with averages for intervals, but for a computer to decide whether I really meant to initiate an action, or whether I am just having a crazy eye spasm has got to be difficult. Mouse clicks are easy. They are a definite action - which demands a definite response on the part of an application.
So, what I don't remember was whether relying on human best guesses was part of the Bayesian model, or if it was just something this subhunter came up with.
Which leads us to the problem at hand - I as a human could probably come up with best guesses as to whether or not you want this piece of mail, but can an AI-based piece of software do that? Would Bayes approve?
Sorry - don't mean to be snotty - just popping up with a correction.
Furthermore, gasoline (or diesel) is not necessarily a lifestyle choice. How do you think farmers plow their fields? With teams of oxen or horses? Generally, (with exceptions for the Amish and others) the answer is no. They do so with tractors - which use FUEL. How would you provide for the planting, tending, and harvesting of America's farm land, which not only provides crops for us, but for the world as well? (When crops aren't rotting in silos - but that's another issue.)
And, on a semi-separate note, why should I be forced to live in areas that have mass transit? I like the fields and the forests around me. I like being able to actually see the Milky Way at night. I loved the small, agricultural community I grew up in, and I would not choose to abandon it, but then again, unlike many of my farmer neighbors, I can afford that luxury even in the face of fuel costs.
However, the article stated that proposals for TLD aren't even being considered at the moment - ICANN is still trying to hash out a procedure for determining TLDs. Does anyone have any suggestions for such distribution?
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
That (in combination of the necessary and proper clause) is where it says that Medicare is a valid function of the government. Congress provides for the general welfare of the United States and so it is the duty of this government to ensure that we are all taken care of. Furthermore, you assume that a private solution may be found, and I tell you that there are those people out there for whom no one cares, though we don't care to admit that to ourselves. People without family. Jane and John Does walking amongst us who have no safety nets. And when they fall sick, only the government is left to provide for them.
I know all too well what the taxation rates are like (I work - a LOT), but you know what? If someone is making under 10 or 15 grand a year, I'm really not going to bear them any malice if they don't have to pay income taxes. They probably already have it tough enough.
Yes, this review talked about the final "battle", but it didn't give away the resolution of that battle, and so I think it is safe to say that it was not, in fact, a spoiler.
And you can't expect reviews not to use dialogue, because dialogue is another key element within film, and if one is going to critique a film, one must evaluate a film's dialogue. If we didn't include such elements in a film review, you would be left with very little indeed. Critics use such elements to highlight how the film functions - to give us a sense of what the film is really about. They bring dialogue and scene descriptions into their reviews to support their critiques and praise. It is their evidence.
If you just want a rating, go to RottenTomatoes and look at the ratings without reading the actual reviews, because a review must bring the film into its discussion, and that is not, apparently, what you want.
When we introduce restraints on voting - tests, taxes, etc. - we give those in power a means of filtering out from the voting public those persons which would threaten their power. The day we allow such restraints is the day that we give up our freedom - because we will have lost all power to check that of the governing branches.
You would seriously bar those on medicare from voting? People who are often too sick to pay their own medical bills? I'm frightened - really.
Actually, the article does not say that this detector takes a couple of seconds. It says that the sample can be taken as people walk through and pause for a few seconds. The time to analyze said sample is not given. Furthermore, one imagines that such determination might fluctuate depending on what the flakes are being analyzed for - and how many different substances are being checked for at one time.
Mr. Settles says his invention could also be used to detect smuggled money, narcotics, chemical or biological warfare agents, nuclear substances like uranium, or other hazardous material.
Smuggled money as opposed to non-smuggled money, eh? How does the money know? Does it alter its chemical makeup if it thinks its being smuggled?
This may prove to be a very interesting market for persons in the IT industry. (Lookout Lloyd's - here I come! *grin*) I imagine that such insurance agencies will also insist on having certain bare minimum security procedures fulfilled in order to even be eligible for coverage.
Interesting to see which OS would have higher premiums on average, eh?
Furthermore, it seems entirely possible that whoever purchases the piece with the database prize piece contained therein will be bound by the same agreement Toysmart made to all it collected data from.
And what I REALLY want to know is, how long does it take this machine to test each person? Metal detectors slow things up considerably at airports, and they are nearly instantaneous.
And what about perfumes and deodorants - how do these things change the ability of this sensor to do its job? Interesting possibilities...
Healy would not introduce computers until the seventh grade. Theodore Roszak, a history professor and author of The Cult of Information, would wait until high school. Computers download information, he says. They do not teach children to think.
"The Internet," Roszak recently told The Dallas Morning News, "offers electronic graffiti. The idea that they should be swimming in a sea of information is idiotic. The essence of thinking is mastering ideas."
Books offer information. Encyclopedias offer "seas" of information. Are these things bad? No. Absolutely not. Computers can display information in a format almost comparable to the manner in which books are used. As technology increases, text books will be replaced by webpads and similar devices. To say that computers are bad simply because they offer a link to immense amounts of data is absurd. Computers go BEYOND books however, because they can offer interaction. The format in which information can be displayed, manipulated, and updated is far beyond that of paper books.
If computers are to be properly utilized in classroom settings at a young age, the software must change. The hardware will probably need to change as well - something more akin in concept to the PalmPilot than to a standard desktop. Proper applications would combine textbooks with homework so that while a student was reading a section, they could also answer questions and perhaps that software would offer feedback. (Computers in classrooms could become something like an interactive workbook.) Computers, however, cannot replace the interactive, highly flexible feedback of a teacher for a young student. The encouragement and support of a good teacher is immeasurable in the good it does a pupil.
So, let us suppose that applications are not where they ought to be in the classroom at this time, and we nix them for now. What about computers at home?
Headmaster Merrill Hall said computers are not introduced until the fifth grade, and parents of children in grades K-4 are even encouraged not to let their children use computers at home.
I whole heartedly disagree. I'm 22 and just finishing up in college (CIS). I remember when the Mac first came out and my father brought it home. All I played with was MacPaint (mmmm.... B&W monitors...) - and I had a blast. The amount of fun I had was entirely up to me - just like playing with GI Joe, or any playing with crayons. To say that computers shatter a child's creativity is silly. And in those first few naive moments with MacPaint, I lost any fear or apprehension I might have had about working with computers for my entire life.
How a computer affects children is related to how that computer is utilized. If you buy a program for your young child, check it out and make sure it is worthy of their time - that it IS something which will foster their creativity and their reasoning. If its mindless, ax it. Don't let them sit at the computer all day - make sure you introduce them to social situations to - either by playing with the neighbor's kids, your other children, group sports (little league, soccer, etc.), or maybe music lessons. Something. If we want well-rounded, educated children, we must expose them to a variety of learning experiences and environments. The computer is not the answer, but it can be a PART of the solution.
Also, Aliens with more advance technology whic could convince an Atheists her that there was a god, would probable not have made the leap of logic to assume that there was some kind of after life, i.e. planets getting hit with metiors simultaniously dose not imply after life period, it implies a big alien race which is wiping out the big stupid animals so that smaller intelegent animals will evolve.
Pardon me, but how is this final conclusion implied at all? In the next paragraph, Weezul argues that paleontologists believe such events stunt growth in intelligence among species, so it is irrational to argue initially that "a big alien race" would have bombed a planet with asteroids as a means of speeding up growth in intelligence. I find it far fetched that a "big alien race" would channel its technical expertise into directing large asteroids into distant planets so that intelligent life might be spurned on more quickly, and I know someone will reply and say, "yeah, but how probable is it that a deity is going to direct asteroids for those same reasons," but thats not my point. I just don't understand why one would argue that such a point is the logical implication, period. It seems to me that a such simultaneous events could lead to a great many implications, and that it is in only studying the novel that we can understand why the aliens of this book chose as they did.
We cannot comment on an author's conclusions without fully considering the plot in which that author is working, and so I think such criticisms, without an actual analysis of the book itself, are neither fair nor just. Just because religious sensibilities, which people may or may not agree with, are the topic of such a work, does not change that in literary criticism, we ought to involve the actual book and plot within such criticism.
In another vein (responding to comments of Frank Herbert's work), I have very much cherished/enjoyed Herbert's Dune series, with special emphasis on books 1 and 6 (Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune). I reveled in the exciting political ways in which religion was utilized as a means of control, and I recognize how valid such criticisms (of religion) are. With that in mind, I am still very much a Christian. In fact, because I realize the tremendous power religion can give to someone willing to utilize it in a position of power, I have become much more dedicated in my studies of Christianity, lest I be duped. And no doubt, someone will reply and tell me that I have been duped, but I reply, in advance, that I have found great security in my studies, both biblical and historical.
I decided that I needed to study the faith of my childhood as much as possible, lest I be wrong. I would not want to sit back idly throughout my entire life accepting what my parents taught me and find out in the end that I had been wrong. (Or not find out anything, as the case may be). Nor did I want to reject my early faith simply because religion is not fashionable within a great deal of scientific society. We owe it to ourselves to be certain of our religious convictions, because they are deeply personal and carry with them a great weight into our lives and, depending on your beliefs, afterlifes. What we choose now may have considerable ramifications after we are dead. Or they may not. But I urge everyone to deeply consider why they believe whatever they do, because it is so very important.
As for categories, as Yanna suggested, we might desire a distinction between live action and animated films, with distinctions between films based on length as well. There should also probably be a greater difference than short and full-length, perhaps 3 categories total. One for films under, oh, say 10 minutes. One for films under an hour, and one for full-length films.
The first annual awards should probably be limited, but designed with the idea that more categories be added later, as webfilms grow in diversity, technique, and complexity. Best Actor, Best Actress, and perhaps Best Animated Character (much like awards for best costuming and art design, but on a character level) should probably be included in this first round, along with Director, Screenplay, Sound, etc. with one set for each category of film (Full length Live Action, or Medium length Animated).
As for voting, might I suggest that voting privileges not be granted to the general public, but only to those associated with the webfilm industry - actors, animators, directors, etc. This, of course, would require a screening process, which would be somewhat laborious, especially for the first few years. A person would only be granted such privileges if they receive credit on a webfilm - either past or present.
In order to be nominated for such a reward, the film would undergo a registration with the awards site, which would allow the awards academy (as it were) to log new voters, as well as the websites where the film may be viewed and the dates of availability. This would be especially useful, as this site could then become not unly a hub for the awards themselves, but for average netizens to find and locate such films.
Hmmm... as I think of it, perhaps actual film nomination would be done by general voting on the web (with IP filtering to guard against some of the more obvious ballot stuffing), with final nomination coming from a panel. Then the final nominees would be turned lose on those actually registered in the webfilm industry.
As for a name, perhaps the Digital Film Awards or Internet Movie Awards (hmmm... the Imas -it almost has a ring to it. Almost.)? I must admit that even though we are moving away from the medium of film, I like the word "film" ever so much more than "movie".
Whatever the name, whatever the structure, in the end, it must be built to stand the test of time. It must be built to become an organization of prestige - so that the awards actually are something of value to those who receive them. Receiving even a final nomination ought to be impressive and exciting for those in the industry, and so these awards must be structured for growth and change, so that they do not become as outdated as the Oscars.
No matter how glossy and flashy the packaging is, the size of a box containing software ought to be inline with the volume of what is contained inside it. Consider how much more cramped our landfills would be if AOL were widely distributed in such a fashion. Disgusting. (The new DVD-like cases are bad enough.)
"Tital A.E." was a great introduction to American audiences of what animation could be. Animation can be a field of film with more genres than the one The Mouse has defined for it. "The Last Unicorn", "The Iron Giant", and "Princess Mononoke" are all excellent examples of the genres that could exist if film executives got behind animation here in America. But how many million did "Iron Giant" pull in? It was a film critically praised by many in the film industry, but close to no one actually saw it, and, unlike "Mononoke", it was widely distributed here in America. The VHS version even comes with a toy - but how many of you have seen it?
So, if we really think animation is viable form for more than just song and dance with cute commercial tie-ins at McDonald's, we need to support films that stretch the current boundaries Disney has set for it.
That being the case, what ought to have "Titan A.E." been? Funny. Adventure packed. Paying homage to all those films we have ever loved, and all those films, outside of the animated, that it would like to become. Sure, it failed in some of those respects. It comes off as rip-off in places. Instead of being a homage to Star Wars in places, it sounds like they're trying to copy it. But then "Titan's" creativity catches you and you are enthralled. The chase through the hydrogen fields is imaginative and just plain cool, and the aliens of that planet, aiding Cale et al., are every bit as courageous and honorable as we could have hoped for. They are as good as the Drej are bad, but Katz fails to notice that there are multiple alien species within this movie, and so he sees "Titan" as one-sided. He's wrong.
My favorite character was Gune, the green li'l inventor guy. He's adorable. He invents something in his sleep, but he forgets what it does. There's a button... It's endearing and funny all at the same time.
No - this was not a masterpiece, but was it better than the usual drivel? Absolutely. Go see it. Have a fun time. Enjoy yourself. And enjoy a glimpse of what American animation might yet become.