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Comment Re:Physics time! You misunderstand ion drives (Score 1) 518

The most popular theory is that it's transferring momentum via virtual particles. That has some startling implications, but it's less physics shaking than violating conservation of momentum. I'm not sure anyone has come up with any solid testable hypotheses yet, but it seems to be something that is likely to be testable in principle.

You'd have to work out the math, but I'd be cautious being too aggressive with relativistic reasoning. Conservation of energy and momentum in special relativity are a bit tricky to start with, and don't hold when you start jumping between reference frames.

Comment The Internet of Things (Score 1) 359

What's your position on this fad of appliances needing networking and whatnot other connections? Especially in the light of other devices (like routers) usually running something that used to be free software 'til the appliance maker got their hands onto it. It is likely that some if not many or even the majority of IoT appliances will run (allegedly) free software in one way or another, and most likely without any regard of the underlying licensing model.

Would you rather see it as a vehicle for OSS to move into everyone's home and literally become a household thing, or is it just yet another abuse of free software by makers of appliances who just like to cut corners?

Comment Re: Right to Privacy in One's Backyard? (Score 1) 1197

Go ahead, I don't mind it. Hey, whatever floats your boat, who am I to judge someone's preferences?

But I'm also not insensitive to people not wanting others ogling them. I have to admit it would make me uneasy if someone kept staring at me. Not even in a sexual way, just staring. I do not like attention too much and I prefer not to be the center of it.

I guess not minding being ogled is something only really existing in natural exhibitionists and people who'd rather get paid to put some clothes on than to take them off and hence never experienced it first hand.

Comment Re: Right to Privacy in One's Backyard? (Score 1) 1197

You have a reasonable expectation that nobody but your second floor neighbors can watch you. That difference is important. You know your neighbors. And even if you don't know for sure that they won't stand at their window and masturbate to you lying next to your pool, it's fairly unlikely due to you easily being able to identify them and throw the book at them.

It's a bit different with random strangers walking by your property. Not only does it multiply the chance of getting a pervert, they are also fairly sure they can get away with perving on you if you don't happen to know them.

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FORTRAN is not a flower but a weed -- it is hardy, occasionally blooms, and grows in every computer. -- A.J. Perlis

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