Want to read Slashdot from your mobile device? Point it at m.slashdot.org and keep reading!

 



Forgot your password?
typodupeerror
×

Comment Re:Tip of the iceberg (Score 2) 350

Shielding is fine, mostly incidental anyway, and isn't an offense. Transmitting on a licensed band when you're not the licensee, on the other hand, is very illegal. Jammers do not "block" RF; they are transmitters. Unquestionably illegal (the jammer part doesn't even matter, really) unless you're the licensee of whatever it's transmitting on.

Comment Re:Seriously? (Score 2) 343

You mean CAT scan?

An MRI is a really big superconducting magnet. If you swallowed some of those balls, had them get stuck in your intestines, then went for an MRI... I can't imagine that would be a very pleasant experience, having several balls forcibly pulled through your soft squishy organs.

That was the joke, i.e. "eat them and go die".

Comment Re:You're a contractor. Your "secrets" are yours (Score 1) 292

I'd say "what's to teach?" They have the source code, and presuming it's documented or well commented, well then that's that. There aren't any secrets. Whether or not the replacement is up to the task at hand is a totally different issue and I'd say is not the poster's problem in the least. If the new kid is worth anything and can actually program then he can easily learn all the "secrets" by reading the code and learning from it. Help familiarize him with the unique points of the particular project? Sure. Teach him how to program? Nope.

Comment Re:This should never happen (Score 1) 240

All that ended when we went to the Interwbz for phone. Now I have no idea how phone calls can be made unspoofable.

Implement RSA on telephones and have key-signing parties like we did in the good old days. Done.

But the tubes are supposed to be anonymous.

Comment Re:You don't (Score 0, Offtopic) 683

Unless he's making your own job a lot harder or you're his boss (or project manager), it's not your place. Your "help" will likely only piss him off more and more and cause problems in the office. Not only will it in *no way* benefit you, but it will very likely *hurt* you and your career--since your manager will come to view you as a source of headaches, your co-worker(s) will view you as a pretentious little prick, and (contrary to popular belief) the guy who helps produce better overall product is almost never rewarded for it anyway. About the fastest way for anyone to piss off their co-workers and bosses is to walk around with a "I'm the best coder here" attitude all day, whether it's true or not. Don't do it.

So, STFU and let management deal with him (or not). That's what they're paid for, not you. Don't offer *any* unsolicited criticism, and even if solicited, offer only a few minor criticisms at a time.

In short: Lighten up, Francis.

If I could I'd mod this straight to the top.

Mars

NASA Plans To "Lasso" Asteroid and Turn It Into Space Station 200

A reader writes "NASA scientists are planning to capture a 500 ton asteroid, relocate it and turn it into a space station for astronauts to refuel on their way to Mars. From the article: 'The 1.6bn-pound plan will be considered by the White House's Office of Science and technology in the coming weeks, as it prepares to set its space exploration agenda for the next decade, the Daily Mail reported. According to a report prepared by NASA and California Institute of Technology (Caltech) scientists, an, 'asteroid capture capsule' would be attached to an old Atlas V rocket and directed towards the asteroid between the earth and the moon. Once close, the asteroid capsule would release a 50ft diameter bag that would wrap around the spinning rock using drawstrings. The craft would then turn on its thrusters, using an estimated 300kg of propellant, to stop the asteroid in its tracks and tow it into a gravitationally neutral spot. From here space explorers would have a stationary base from which to launch trips deeper into space. Though NASA declined to comment on the project, it is believed that technology would make it possible within 10-12 years. The technology would also open up the possibility of mining other asteroids for their metals and minerals. Some are full of iron which could be used in the making of new space stations, others are made up of water which could be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen to make fuel. It is hoped that the project will increase our understanding of asteroids, and even shed new light on the origin of life on Earth.'"
PC Games (Games)

Valve's 'Steam Box' Console Is Real, Says Gabe Newell 298

symbolset writes "The Verge is reporting that the Steam Console we discussed in November is a real thing. Gabe Newell said it will be a locked down platform for the living room. The source is a Kotaku interview with Newell at the Video Game Awards. Newell said, 'Well certainly our hardware will be a very controlled environment. If you want more flexibility, you can always buy a more general-purpose PC. For people who want a more turnkey solution, that's what some people are really gonna want for their living room. The nice thing about a PC is a lot of different people can try out different solutions, and customers can find the ones that work best for them.'"

Comment Re:I do too (Score 1) 445

If I have to use speakerphone my Polycom is a world better than any cell phone. Headset options are infinitely better than Bluetooth options. Back in the day I preferred a wired headset if I was going to be on the phone all day; now I have a wireless Plantronics since I'm not on the phone as much. The desk phones always work and work well. I notice whenever I'm talking to someone that has VOIP or is on their cell: the worst is when there's a one second lag on the other side's VOIP handling, it really screws up the flow of conversation when both ends end up talking over each other. I guess if you're both on VOIP and have the same amount of voice lag it probably balances out, but it's really pretty much crap when one side is trying to do something "modern" that sucks.

Yes, there's ways to set things up properly, but by and large all these alternate methods end up falling short more often than not. My office phones are VOIP Poloycoms and they work great, but they're on the LAN where every detail can be configured properly.

Plus my work phone is for when I'm working. Call it for work. If I really want to or need to be reached for work things on my cell the desk phone can be set to forward calls.

Slashdot Top Deals

Get hold of portable property. -- Charles Dickens, "Great Expectations"

Working...