Setting the default combination to 0000 would make users know that it is a default password (and make them dumb for not changing it). Using a more complex default combination would make it less likely that people will change it thinking they were allocated a secure code, not the default for that manufacturer.
http://www.mysupermarket.com/ offers price comparison in the USA and UK (I don't know if the app allows UPC scans). It does not check availability which would be next to impossible in a national supermarket.
The final stage is having an in house robot deliver the toilet paper to you in your time of crisis
I remember a UK building society had passbooks with a (standard) barcode that would open the lobby door.
Having an open lobby seems to be offering a warm indoor sleeping area to the homeless.
Downton Abbey is produced by ITV, the UK's main commercial broadcaster (who competes with the BBC on audience share)
They mainly use the strategy of sending many letters to address that they think are unlicenced.
My flat has two different numbers (One based on floors, the other based on the order reached when climbing the stairs) and I received a licence sent to one address on the same day as a warning sent to the other.
For many years (until I finally told them) I received warnings to the unlicensed version of my address every few months.
I was surprised to hear that London private hire cars (minicabs) were not allowed to have taximeters, instead relying on a fare determined at the time of booking.
Other cities (such as Edinburgh) allow private hire cars to have them (as long as they charge the same, or less, as taxis).
A supermarket delivery is likely to contain frozen or chilled items. A doorperson would not be able to store them correctly until the customer gets home.
The (UK) supermarkets with online delivery offer 1 or 2 hour delivery windows so it is possible to get stuff delivered when wanted.
I don't buy ready-meals etc. I think people buying them would be less likely to use the delivery service, since it's pretty easy to stop in at a smaller supermarket on the way home and pick from the refrigerated boxes. Quicker than picking vegetables etc.
I would think the opposite, the people who care about their food would want to choose their fruit and veg at the store, people who live on ready meals would not care as much.
I used the service once, from the cheaper supermarket that offers it (Asda)
And your neighbours will be judging you for going for the low priced supermarket (as they eat their food from Lidl/Aldi)
One of the advertising CAPTCHA tests had a text box where you had to enter some text to describe a product. On the test selections on the providers website "shit" worked every time.
They are not "High Tech Vending Machines". They are normal vending machines loaded with computer accessories.
A "High-Tech" vending machine would 3D print the required item.
If someone is sueing a hospital because their medical records contain an episode of explosive diarreha in a hospital elevator and winning, you should maybe find a lawyer worth a lick of salt.
So let's suppose the patient sees the note about the incident, and takes offense. They sue the hospital for libel, claiming that the incident was recorded for the amusement of doctors at the patient's expense. One defense would be to show a medical reason making the note necessary - but if it was isolated with no known cause, that may not be possible. Another defense is to point out how common messy incidents are in a hospital, but that'll skewer the PR department's campaign saying how clean the hospital is (which it was again an hour after the incident). Regardless of how skilled the hospital's lawyers are, an offended patient with a grudge will be expensive to deal with.
By taking this to court the patient would have to make the incident public knowledge, before that the records should only have been visible to the medical staff responsible for the care of the patient (and the patient on request).
If the patient records become public (without the consent of the patient) that would be a far more serious matter (and would be even if the records did not contain embarrassing notes)
The new ship is planned to have "diesel engines driving azimuth thrusters" rather than steam piston engines.
The QE2 was the last steamship built to cross the Atlantic. She used a steam turbine (rather than piston) engine. Diesel engines replaced her steam equipment after about 20 years of service.
The new ship would have to comply with all the current SOLAS (safety of life at sea) conventions. The loss of the Titanic was the catalysis that started the move towards increased Safety. Since then (mainly reacting to numerous disasters) the conventions have been enhanced over time.
Technological advances will also alter the ship. The Titanic used riveted rather than welded steel for its hull, this reduced the strength and increased the iceberg damage. Modern ships use diesel rather than coal, most of the funnels would be decorative (a tactic used by Disney Cruise Line) and the engine noise would be different. The RADAR, communication equipment, helipad etc. would all change the look of the ship.
The onboard facilities would have to match modern expectations (such as larger cabins with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning,most cruise ships have cabins with balconies. The very large first class suites (with extra accommodation for servants) may need to be reworked to meet price targets and get enough customers.
In the end I think this will end up as a modern ship with a similar outline to the original Titanic, with some internal areas looking similar. I would like to see a (very) accurate replica, this would be interesting to visit for a short period of time but would be difficult to sell to customers (especially in 2nd and 3rd class).
In UK elections it would theoretically be possible to establish who voted for whom.
When collecting a ballot paper from the counter the serial number from the paper is recorded against your name on the electoral roll. With paper ballots and manual counting it would be a laborious process to match these up, with electronic counting coming in (scanning ballot paper at the count) it would be possible to record the paper serial number and votes made.
It would be more visual if the candidates names were put on metal disks and God send down a bolt of lightning to the one he wanted (or a pigeon to defecate).
Never test for an error condition you don't know how to handle. -- Steinbach
