Please create an account to participate in the Slashdot moderation system

 



Forgot your password?
typodupeerror
×

Comment Re:Nice design, but it's just a better "nasal pill (Score 2) 59

I don't agree that nasal pillows are the solution to all CPAP interface issues. I tried them and preferred a nasal mask to the pillows for overall fit and comfort.

I do agree that custom 3D printing is nonsense to the problem. It would be much like people complaining that one pair of shoes were uncomfortable, and just deciding that 3D printing everyone's shoes to their exact foot is the answer. Or maybe they should just have tried on a different size, width, or style to find a better fit.

Comment I had iLASIK about 11 months ago. (Score 2) 550


iLASIK is done with all lasers, one to make the flap that was previously done by blade, and the usual LASIK after that. Fewer reported complications than with the older blade style. At my six month checkup I was seeing 20/10 from my left eye and 20/15 from my right. I'm 48 and previously wore progressive lenses. They adjusted my right for a closer focal distance.

It all just works, I love it.

Comment Cost/Insurance coverage (Score 1) 550

My optical insurance covers about $325 for a years supplies of contacts or glasses, and the requisite exam, They don't cover any type of corrective eye surgery. This benefit costs me $24/year which is the combined price for optical/dental coverage.

$24 for contact lens, or $4000 for the average cost for both eyes. While I'd love to not have to wear glasses or contacts, $3952 is a chunk of change with a really long ROI. Even if I split it up one eye across two years so that I can use a flex spending account, that still a lot.

Ironically, there total cost of having me as an employee could be less presuming I stuck around as an employee long enough. But the bean counters don't see it that way. They didn't see it that way either for paying $13k worth of diabetes medicine and supplies every year or a $20k bariatric surgery once.

Verizon

Deaf Advocacy Groups To Verizon: Don't Kill Net Neutrality On Our Behalf 76

Dega704 sends this quote from Ars: No company has lobbied more fiercely against network neutrality than Verizon, which filed the lawsuit that overturned the FCC's rules prohibiting ISPs from blocking and discriminating against Web content. But the absence of net neutrality rules isn't just good for Verizon—it's also good for the blind, deaf, and disabled, Verizon claims. That's what Verizon lobbyists said in talks with congressional staffers, according to a Mother Jones report last month. "Three Hill sources tell Mother Jones that Verizon lobbyists have cited the needs of blind, deaf, and disabled people to try to convince congressional staffers and their bosses to get on board with the fast lane idea," the report said. With "fast lanes," Web services—including those designed for the blind, deaf, and disabled—could be prioritized in exchange for payment. Now, advocacy groups for deaf people have filed comments with the FCC saying they don't agree with Verizon's position."
Electronic Frontier Foundation

EFF Releases Wireless Router Firmware For Open Access Points 56

klapaucjusz writes: The EFF has released an experimental router firmware designed make it easy to deploy open (password-less) access points in a secure manner. The EFF's firmware is based on the CeroWRT fork of OpenWRT, but appears to remove some of its more advanced routing features. The EFF is asking for help to further develop the firmware. They want the open access point to co-exist on the same router as your typical private and secured access point. They want the owner to be able to share bandwidth, but with a cap, so guests don't degrade service for the owner. They're also looking to develop a network queueing, a minimalist web UI, and an auto-update mechanism. The EFF has also released the beta version of a plug-in called Privacy Badger for Firefox and Chrome that will prevent online advertisers from tracking you.

Comment Re:Good grief (Score 2) 98

Even if all the machines were identical top of the line machines, many of the things that was listed as requirements would still apply.

"Spend[ing] a couple bucks" isn't always fiscally possible in a education or non-profit environment which the computing lab is likely a part of.

Finally, given likely limited resources, it likely made a lot more sense to buy more lower end less expensive machines if they could adequately meet the needs of the majority of users while having just a couple of high end machines for those that need them. But they need mechanisms in place to prevent abuse between users and sessions.

The Military

MIT's Ted Postol Presents More Evidence On Iron Dome Failures 454

Lasrick (2629253) writes In a controversial article last week, MIT physicist Ted Postol again questioned whether Israel's vaunted Iron Dome rocket defense system actually works. This week, he comes back with evidence in the form of diagrams, photos of Iron Dome intercepts and contrails, and evidence on the ground to show that Iron Dome in fact is effective only about 5% of the time. Postol believes the real reason there are so few Israeli casualties is that Hamas rockets have very small warheads (only 10 to 20 pounds), and also Israel's outstanding civil defense system, which includes a vast system of shelters and an incredibly sophisticated rocket attack warning system (delivered through smart phones, among other ways).

Comment Re:Texas? (Score 2) 172

I think most people would say that "clean energy" and "renewable energy" are synonymous with one another. Why would you exclude hydroelectric as a clean and/or renewable energy source? When considering ALL forms of clean energy combined, Texas is not first. Not first in total production. Not first in percentage of generation.

If you are going to exclude hydroelectricity generated energy because it's only available in certain parts of the country, shouldn't you also exclude wind generated power since it's only feasible in certain parts of the country too? I'd probably also include solar since the further north you go, the less viable it becomes.

Comment Re: Texas? (Score 1) 172

There's major rail lines that crisscross the nation. Anywhere there is an automotive plant they've figured out how to ship any number of large and/or heavy items that are needed in large quantities for the production of automobiles. While there is no doubt that convenient shipping would be advantageous, my guess is that Tesla's investment for transportation of supplies and vehicles would be similar whether it's in Texas, California, or any other place that has developed transportation infrastructure. It's not like they would be paying for a dedicated rail line from wherever their plant will be all the way to a seaport.

Comment Re:Texas? (Score 1) 172

Building this factory in Texas would make it harder for politicians to fight "Texas Made" cars.

But that's a REALLY big gamble. While having a massive production plant may give you some extra leverage, once it's built it's not like Tesla will be able to just pack up and leave if they don't get what they want. I guess only time will tell which side wins.

Slashdot Top Deals

Life is a healthy respect for mother nature laced with greed.

Working...