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Comment It's a finger-mounted "wand" (Score 1) 65

I have used and made software for a device precisely such as this one, with position and direction in space, only that it was not worn but handheld and called a "wand". This was fifteen years ago, '98/'99.

It was used for control in a CAVE environment where you are enclosed in a cube of six computer screens with the perspective adjusted to the position and direction of your 3D glasses.

Comment Safety first (Score 2, Informative) 49

The tutorial shows cutting a PCB from a SNES controller into three parts.
When cutting PCBs (and other things of fiberglass), it is important not to inhale the dust - in the worst case, fiberglass dust can cause lung cancer.

The tutorial recommends a dust mask, but does not mention how important it is.
I always use a dust mask and a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter running with the nozzle right next to the workpiece when I cut PCBs.
Also, don't do it where you live, and do collect the dust that settles.

Comment The missing option that nobody wants to admit ... (Score 5, Interesting) 139

A good wank.

Don't mod me down, I'm serious. A lot of people do it every evening to settle down and relax before going to bed, but they don't talk about it. Just ask a sexologist.
Some are blessed with having a willing significant other, and some don't have any, and some do have one that is not willing to do it every night.

Comment Re:Recorded Movies? (Score 2) 376

I think that for many people it is about availability. Movies are released at different dates in different parts of the world, or in some places not at all. A movie may be released in cinemas six months later somewhere, but by then the hype about it on the Internet is already long over.

Comment Re:Who is being taxed, exactly? (Score 4, Insightful) 322

You could also see it this way:
You would be taxing away the competitive advantage that companies in a polluting country would have against companies in those who restricts its carbon emissions.

In the short term, it would promote domestic business. In the long term, the polluting country is supposed to lower its emissions and get back in the game, and then both foreign and domestic companies should be able to compete on the same terms - creating more competition and again lower prices.

Comment Re:Sun Type 5c Keyboard (Score 2) 166

The innards are regular Fujitsu rubber dome. Nothing special. Quite mushy and horrible to type on.

But it is sure one of the most beautiful keyboards in the world. I love the colour scheme and font choices. It sure has style.
The attention to detail, the size of it and the layout feels professional - this is a workstation keyboard indeed.
I bought one just to have to look at.

Comment Re:Hacking = Curiosity (Score 1) 153

Actually, the etymological origin of the word "hacker" is from "hacksaw".
To use a hacksaw is called to "hack". Sometimes the use of a hacksaw is to do a quick fix that is not necessarily particularly elegant, for instance to cut a table leg shorter to make it more level.
Therefore to "hack" something is to tinker with something.
A computer hacker is someone who tinkers with computer/systems, and not necessarily in the intended way.

A student prank at MIT is also traditionally called a "hack". It could involve hacking something off with a hacksaw, but these days is often something more constructive, not computer-related at all.

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