Comment Flare, by Zelazny & Thomas (Score 1) 356
My current reading, Flare ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/067172133X ), contains a scenario remarkably similar to that dipped into in the article.
Comment Quality Scales, not Extra Fees (Score 1) 172
To my eyes, blurry as they may be for this hour, the quote appears to suggest that media streams may be delivered in varying qualities, dependent upon the user's available bandwidth. It does not seem to suggest that users should pay "extra" fees on top of their standard ISP charges to watch higher quality media, as some here seem to have interpreted.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Submission + - Ray tracing for gaming explored (pcper.com) 3
Vigile writes: "Ray tracing is still thought of as the 'holy grail' for real-time imagery but because of the intense amount of calculations required it has been plagued with long frame render times. This might soon change, at least according to an article from Daniel Pohl, a researcher at Intel. With upcoming many-core processors like Intel's Larrabee he believes that real-time ray tracing for games is much closer than originally thought thanks in large part to the efficiency it allows with spatial partitioning and reflections when compared to current rasterization techniques. Titles like Valve's Portal are analyzed to see how they could benefit from ray tracing technology and the article on PC Perspective concludes with the difficulties combing the two rendering techniques as well as a video of the technology in action."
Submission + - New telescope to challenge theory of universe (cio.com.au)
Bergkamp10 writes: Australian astronomers will be using a new specially constructed 'rapid survey' telescope to digitally map the southern sky, imaging in six filters with six exposures per filter. The filters have been specially designed to 'decode' stars, with astronomers calling it a 'new window' into the parameters of the universe. The impact on stellar astrophysics will be significant, allowing for much more insightful data collection on how stars were formed and how they got to where they are today. The telescope, called Skymapper, can look at objects in our solar system and according to the report can focus its 'decoding' powers on objects at the farthest regions of the visible universe. Once the project to digitally map the southern sky is complete the results will become available to anyone via an online virtual observatory.
Submission + - Helping the world using one's IT skills?
InDi0 writes: "I am finishing my studies in Computer Science, and have a relatively broad IT-related experience. Inflating my bank account by seeking employment in a big firm is my next obvious career step. I though, feel the need to use my expertise to help people in need to improve their lives. Do any slashdotters have experience in working towards bringing progress to the developing world? Where can I start looking for projects where I can offer my expertise without expecting monetary compensation, only to enjoy a feeling of doing Good? Working for some food and shelter is all I ask, as long as its a project that matters."
Submission + - Cutty Sark ablaze
The Mysterious X writes: "The BBC is reporting that Cutty Sark, the 19th centuary clipper, is on fire. Greenwich town centre has been closed, as has the docklands light railway, and reports indicate there are 40 firefighters on scene fighting the blaze. The latest news is that 100% of the ship is on fire, and it is feared that gas bottles onboard, left there due to renovation works may explode. Firefighters are treating the blaze as suspicious."
Submission + - U.S. slams Thailand for "pirating" AIDS dr
nbauman writes: The U.S. government placed Thailand on a list of copyright violators, because Thailand exercised its legal right under the World Trade Organization rules to license generic versions of AIDS drugs. Merck offered to sell efavirenz for $237 per patient per year, but Indian generic manufacturers do it for $165. Then Thailand licensed generic versions of another AIDS drug, lopinavir/ritonavir, which Abbott had offered to sell for $1,000 per patient per year. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative placed Thailand on the Priority Watch List, which could lead to trade sanctions, and is usually used for software, trademark and other pirates.
http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles /2007/05/02/thailand_stands_by_drug_patent_decisio n/ http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_ind ex.cfm?DR_ID=44603 "It's surprising that the reactions have been so harsh to a move that's perfectly legal," said Jon Ungphakorn, a former Thai senator. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/316/ 5826/816 [subscription, bummer] Thailand's GDP per capita is $9,100.
http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/article
