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Comment Re:Not so bad... (Score 1) 123

by feitingen (#29843023) Attached to: HTC Finally Releases Hero Source Code

Sometimes I wonder how much of a role of embarrassment plays in the decision to keep the source code private.

This is usually the biggest concern for me when i develop something, if its something i am proud of and can release freely, then it's gonna be GPLed, if i am embarrased of it, i'm not going to release it, unless people email me about it and promise to not mention me.
Biotech

Chinese Clinic Uses DNA Tests To Predict Kids' Talents 98

Posted by Soulskill from the this-one-will-be-a-level-80-death-knight dept.
Death Metal writes with this excerpt from CNN: "About 30 children aged 3 to 12 years old and their parents are participating in a new program that uses DNA testing to identify genetic gifts and predict the future. ... The test is conducted by the Shanghai Biochip Corporation. Scientists claim a simple saliva swab collects as many as 10,000 cells that enable them to isolate eleven different genes. By taking a closer look at the genetic codes, they say they can extract information about a child's IQ, emotional control, focus, memory, athletic ability and more. For about $880, Chinese parents can sign their kids up for the test and five days of summer camp in Chongqing, where the children will be evaluated in various settings from sports to art. The scientific results, combined with observations by experts throughout the week, will be used to make recommendations to parents about what their child should pursue."

Comment Re:Bed (Score 1) 460

by zaunuz (#29044109) Attached to: I Appreciate The Ergonomics Of My ___ The Most

It appears that the setup i have isn't in production anymore, but the ones below are very similar.

bed: http://www.ikea.com/no/no/catalog/products/S69849849 http://www.ikea.com/no/no/catalog/products/50156664 -- slightly different measurements
plus a thin (15-20 cm) mini-matres thingy on top to make it extra soft.

Oh, and sorry for not providing the link in english, but search the product name on your local IKEA, and you'll prolly find it.

Comment Bed (Score 2, Interesting) 460

by zaunuz (#29004777) Attached to: I Appreciate The Ergonomics Of My ___ The Most

It is by far the most comfortable bed i've ever slept in, and the ones who's slept in it agree with me. It's 200 x 180 cm of awesomeness.
I am currently undergoing a moving process from Norway to Ireland, and due to the comfyness of the bed, i decided to throw some extra money into the moving process and drive all of my stuff around europe, across the channel, and a few bridges and ferries along the way to be able to bring the bed to my new apartment.
A bed is a place where you spend approx 30% of your life, so in my opinion it is a severely underated upholstery.
Robotics

Scientists Worry Machines May Outsmart Man 652

Posted by Soulskill from the forecasting-a-great-toaster-revolt dept.
Strudelkugel writes "The NY Times has an article about a conference during which the potential dangers of machine intelligence were discussed. 'Impressed and alarmed by advances in artificial intelligence, a group of computer scientists is debating whether there should be limits on research that might lead to loss of human control over computer-based systems that carry a growing share of society's workload, from waging war to chatting with customers on the phone. Their concern is that further advances could create profound social disruptions and even have dangerous consequences.' The money quote: 'Something new has taken place in the past five to eight years,' Dr. Horvitz said. 'Technologists are replacing religion, and their ideas are resonating in some ways with the same idea of the Rapture.'"
Privacy

Eye In the Sky For City Crime Fighting 389

Posted by kdawson from the lawn-forcement-panopticon dept.
Tiger4 writes "The mayor of the City of Lancaster in the Antelope Valley of southern California is considering a high-definition video flying platform to aid in crime fighting. The aircraft, would circle the city constantly, able to zoom in on activity spots instantly. 'You never know when you are being watched or followed. It would be stupid to commit a crime. You see it with such detail,' said Mayor R. Rex Parris, who took a ride last week in a camera-equipped airplane with pilot Dick Rutan. 'I have every hope that Lancaster will be the first city to deploy it. I've never been so excited about anything.' Dick Rutan is the same pilot who flew around the world non-stop in the Voyager, custom built by his brother Burt Rutan at Scaled Composites in Mojave." The aircraft is nothing special, a garden-variety Cessna or the like, but "the camera is an example of technology developed for and used by the military making a transition to civilian applications, Rutan said."
Privacy

Emigrating To a Freer Country? 1359

Posted by Soulskill from the all-my-recommendations-require-time-machines dept.
puroresu writes "I currently reside in the UK. In recent years I've seen privacy, free expression and civil liberties steadily eroded, and I can't see anything changing for the better any time soon. With people being banned from the UK for expressing (admittedly reprehensible) opinions, the continuing efforts to implement mandatory ID cards and the prospect of a Conservative government in the near future, I'm seriously considering emigrating to a less restrictive country. Which countries would you recommend in terms of freedom and privacy? Distance is not an issue, though a reasonable level of stability and provision of public services would be a bonus."

Comment priorities (Score 1) 215

by zaunuz (#27796227) Attached to: Cameron's <em>Avatar</em> a 3D Drug Trip?

"[..]the key to Avatar's success or failure, may be habit forming. Dr. Mario Mendez, a behavioral neurologist at the University of California[..]"
=>
"[..]may be habit forming. Dr. Mario Mendez, a behavioral neurologist[..]"
=>
"[..]Dr. Mario Mendez[..]"
=>
"[..]Dr. Mario[..]" ...that's just how my brain works.

Comment Re:Good luck at the airport (Score 2, Funny) 200

by feitingen (#27645523) Attached to: Skin-Based Display Screens From Nanotech Tattoos

Good luck with that the next time you're at the security check at the airport. Pacemakers they know about, but with people getting withheld due to t-shirts with *images* of electronics, this thing is just asking for trouble.

I was at the airport with one of those t-shirts with a working clock on it. I boarded with no problems, but as they were to take off, (i am not making this up) they announced: "Please turn off all mobile phones, laptops and t-shirts"

Comment Re:Cue the Douglas Adams references! (Score 4, Insightful) 329

by feitingen (#27309497) Attached to: Reflected Gravitational Waves

Attention wannabe comedians:

There is a 42 reference in this story. This your cue...this is your chance..the spotlight is on you to bring humor to the world and make countless references to Douglas Adams. Because he mentioned the number 42 in a book!

I was thrilled, almost panicking when i read that, the amount of jokes i could make would be endless! Then i realized that none of them were actually good jokes.

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