Comment Re:So the Big Dog is deployed... (Score 1) 210
Hadn't seen that spoof. That was the funniest thing I've seen in quite a while, thanks for that. The real Big Dog always creeps me the fuck out.
Submission + - Black Mesa: Source Actually Nearing Completion (blackmesasource.com)
slimjim8094 writes: Black Mesa the long-in-the-running total-conversion mod recreating Half-Life 1 for the Source engine, has been discussed on Slashdot before. At the time it was described as "nearing completion" and "confirmed out in 2009", but now they've given a date: September 14th. The first part of the game (through Lambda Core) is apparently what's being released now; it looks like they're still finishing up the Xen and some other stuff for later release. The soundtrack is available for download over at the official announcement on the forums.
Submission + - California to license self-driving cars (tgdaily.com)
DevotedSkeptic writes: "Californian senators have passed a bill that looks set to make the state the second in the US to approve self-driving cars on its roads.
The bill was passed unanimously by state senators, and now hits the desk of governor Jerry Brown, who's expected to sign it into law.
It calls on the California Department of Motor Vehicles to start developing standards and licensing procedures for autonomous vehicles.
"This bill would require the department to adopt safety standards and performance requirements to ensure the safe operation and testing of 'autonomous vehicles', as defined, on the public roads in this
state," it reads.
"The bill would permit autonomous vehicles to be operated or tested on the public roads in this state pending the adoption of safety standards and performance requirements that would be adopted
under this bill."
Until these standards are developed, though, it's unclear precisely under what conditions driverless cars will be allowed to operate. It's pretty certain that a driver will be required to sit behind the steering wheel at all times, as in Nevada.
Google's already been testing its autonomous vehicles on California roads for some time. In a recent blog post, engineering lead Chris Urmson said that the company's cars had now completed more than 300,000 miles of testing without a single accident.
Don't expect to be riding in a self-driving car any time soon, though.
"To provide the best experience we can, we’ll need to master snow-covered roadways, interpret temporary construction signals and handle other tricky situations that many drivers encounter," says Urmson.
"As a next step, members of the self-driving car team will soon start using the cars solo (rather than in pairs), for things like commuting to work. This is an important milestone, as it brings this technology one step closer to every commuter.""
The bill was passed unanimously by state senators, and now hits the desk of governor Jerry Brown, who's expected to sign it into law.
It calls on the California Department of Motor Vehicles to start developing standards and licensing procedures for autonomous vehicles.
"This bill would require the department to adopt safety standards and performance requirements to ensure the safe operation and testing of 'autonomous vehicles', as defined, on the public roads in this
state," it reads.
"The bill would permit autonomous vehicles to be operated or tested on the public roads in this state pending the adoption of safety standards and performance requirements that would be adopted
under this bill."
Until these standards are developed, though, it's unclear precisely under what conditions driverless cars will be allowed to operate. It's pretty certain that a driver will be required to sit behind the steering wheel at all times, as in Nevada.
Google's already been testing its autonomous vehicles on California roads for some time. In a recent blog post, engineering lead Chris Urmson said that the company's cars had now completed more than 300,000 miles of testing without a single accident.
Don't expect to be riding in a self-driving car any time soon, though.
"To provide the best experience we can, we’ll need to master snow-covered roadways, interpret temporary construction signals and handle other tricky situations that many drivers encounter," says Urmson.
"As a next step, members of the self-driving car team will soon start using the cars solo (rather than in pairs), for things like commuting to work. This is an important milestone, as it brings this technology one step closer to every commuter.""
Submission + - GOP opposes net neutrality, internet piracy (patexia.com)
ericjones12398 writes: "While GOP candidates won't stop publicly disavowing it, all eyes are on the Republican platform. The convention, which closed Thursday, inserted a number of controversial planks regarding abortion, English-only laws and a committee to examine the possibility of returning to the gold standard. Receiving considerably less attention was the downright Orwellian naming of the "Internet freedom plank," which opposes net neutrality."
Comment Curse you science! (Score 1) 381
Shame on all of you for ruining the dream of flying cars, what with all your technical problems and common sense!
Comment Re:Before the trolls start (Score 1) 605
It's been the hottest and driest summer in my part of the world (middle of the U.S.) since the 1930s I think, following a very temperate winter.
Therefore, this year I believe global warming is real. If it snows here in the coming winter we'll know if global warming stopped again. :)
Therefore, this year I believe global warming is real. If it snows here in the coming winter we'll know if global warming stopped again.
Comment Re:Who cares about 2012? (Score 2) 179
In 4 years, they should release a special "Back to the Past" edition since even the second movie will be history for the viewers.
Comment Re:Wow... (Score 2) 639
Exactly. This kid is an ass for saying such a thing, but it clearly doesn't necessitate government action.
Comment Used for therapeutic ends (Score 1) 77
Good, TFA never mentions how this could be used for nefarious purposes. I mean, with algae-based gene therapy on brain cells and fiber optic cables crammed into your head, what could possibly go wrong?
Comment Re:"keeps you on the road until you wake up again" (Score 1) 238
My car better not wake me up unless it has a damn good reason, such as driving by a natural wonder, a beautiful woman, or a Chick-fil-A.
Comment Digital archery (Score 1) 54
That's cool, I think "digital archery" sounds like a better idea for Nintendo.
Comment The Tin Man rejoices (Score 1) 121
The Tin Woodman rejoices
Comment Facebook's plan (Score 1) 81
1. Profit (take a cut from sale of paid apps)
2. Profit (take a cut from in-app purchases)
3. Profit (collect and sell usage data)
4. Profit (sell stock publicly with record setting IPO)
5. ???
6. Profit!
2. Profit (take a cut from in-app purchases)
3. Profit (collect and sell usage data)
4. Profit (sell stock publicly with record setting IPO)
5. ???
6. Profit!
Comment Re:Reel-to-Reel? (Score 1) 650
Mod parent +1 Offtopic :)
Comment Re:How Do You Back Up? (Score 1) 304
Moonwalk. But you need to restore the backup from when it was cool.
