Having the math/algorithms to locate planets within a "habitable" zone gives us the ability to locate planets which could support life. Nobody could predict in 1911 the level of technological progress we see today in 2011, so it may be the case that in 2111 we may very well have the technology to embark on a mission to another planet. Thinking more conservatively, the discovery of earth-like planets may encourage policymakers to increase funding in space programs (i.e., NASA and private firms). As we have read before, there can be significant payoffs from this type of investment.

It seems to me that this would be an excellent 'internship' opportunity for a young engineer. Internships typically do not pay well (38K seems pretty fair to me) and whoever is hired to work on the system would learn how to reverse-engineer, document, and maintain a complex system. After a year or so of working on the system that individual could walk to any tech company working on high-tech handicap access technology or make a killing. Furthermore, I'm sure there are plenty of young researchers would would enjoy learning from one of the greatest minds of the 20th century.

I think the point of this patent is that they can observe your food consumption habits. While I am a thin man, I know people with better eating habits who still nevertheless struggle with their weight. The point of the patent is to discriminate between individuals who good eating habits vs. individuals poor eating habits.

Like most of us here, if someone was eavesdropping in on my communications they would not learn much. I've messed around with PGP in the past but quit using it after I thought about how silly it was to encrypt things like my grocery list. I pitty the poor NSA analyst who after several long months of breaking my key simply learns that I had run out of milk and tampons. Going back to reality, I have found it necessary in the past to go through the trouble encrypting my instant messaging traffic. If most people are like me, my messaging behavior is significantly less formal and I would be very embarrassed if some of these discussions surfaces. Fortunately, most standard messaging software uses built in encryption or have plugins. I think encrypting email traffic is generally a good thing, but unless you work for a company where serious consequences for information disclosures I do not suspect PGP as a standard will ever catch on.

At my last university the IT department routinely scanned machines attached to the network and blocked infected machines. Students were required to bring their computers to an IT desk to have the malicious software removed and were instructed on how to properly use a virus scanner or malware removal tool. From what I understand, this policy continues to work well to this day. If ISPs should follow Comcast example by informing individuals their machines are infected, and go the extra step of directing affected parties to paid (or free) scanners that will remove the offending software. Only repeat offenders should lose their privileges (temporarily) to ensure responsible computing habits develop. Just my two cents.

I agree. Many US, EU, and Asian companies have joint ventures with Indian firms. If blackberry communications are no longer privileged, the government (and others) has a strong incentive abuse corporate information (trading trading stocks and bonds in London or the US). Companies count on Blackberry for the integration and PRIVACY. Guess Indian firms will have to rely on PGP encrypted email communication. I'm assuming this is not illegal in India, or is it?

Last time I checked Google voice services did not support encryption. Unless they are talking about implementing security measures similar to Skype, I am not interested.

Buy yourself a Schaum's calculus guide and work through all the problems. That should get you through single variable calculus with few problems.

If you plan on letting someone go and you are a manager/administrator it's your responsibility to ensure the job gets done. Period. I don't care how much you trust the guy. You would be hard pressed to convince me this guy was the only person familiar with the system (of course this is our government). I'm sure the FBI or another agency would be happy to send in their expert for a time that risk a secure database from being compromised. Much cheaper than having to deal with the costs of say...another 9/11.

A quick google search turned up the same story: http://www.buzzbox.com/news/2010-03-07/Pixel_Qi:Q2/

First they hook us on shows like Survivor and Fear Factor. If those programs were not unsettling enough, now we want to watch someone die on tv, and watch them go though the process of mummification. Somehow I get the feeling THE RUNNING MAN is right around the corner...

No so long ago a few guys had a dream that computers should be in everyone's home, not just research centers and businesses. Now, most wired homes have multiple desktops and laptops. Dreams of a better hardware or software platform drive us to develop more efficient, cheaper systems. OLPC's founders and contributes are ambitious, and there is nothing wrong with that. While the perfect $75 platform may not be available next year, within 5 years its an obtainable goal. Remember a $200 machine is closer to a $75 dollar computer that previous "affordable machines" of late (excluding the recent popularity of netbooks).

I would be 100 times more impressed if the headline read, man disables bomb and saves a box full of kittens. On a serious note, if this guy had encountered any complications, it is good to know Google was at his fingertips. However, I have read stories about children assisting with the delivery of babies. No news here...

Looks like I am going to start carrying my cell in a zip lock bag. Wonder if that works?

What is the point of purchasing the most expensive consoles on the market to play emulator games? This is not news. Linux on the PS3 is news. Seti at home on the PS3 is news. Running an emulator, solitaire or Tux racer on the PS3 is a waste good hardware (unless this is your primary Linux rig).