Comment Interesting (Score 1) 655
While cash can or cannot be accepted for transactions based on merchant preferences, is it allowable for a state to regulate that? Are there any federal regulations or others that may disallow this?
Comment Nice shake in Philly (Score 1) 614
Felt the desk moving, thought it was a truck outside again. When it didn't stop after a second we were all looking around puzzled. Hoping everything at home is okay.
Comment HIPPA? (Score 1) 176
While it appears identifiable patient information isn't included, is there any way that this falls under HIPPA protections?
Comment Om nom nom (Score 1) 120
This is one idea that literally does have a chance of biting you on the ass.
Comment Re:Overclocking? (Score 1) 314
You get one heck of a core dump. Hope you have clean underwear handy.
Comment Re:How long will it last (Score 2, Informative) 295
but I won't even contemplate buying a game with DRM because I just don't trust that I'd be able to play it long after it stops being the hit new thing.
You do know Valve has promised to patch around Steam authentication if the shit ever does hit the fan?
Comment The Penny Arcade-Strawberry Shortcake comic? (Score 1) 286
Wonder if this might relate to PA using Strawberry Shortcake in a parody of the style of games American McGee would make.
Comment Robotrek! (Score 1) 119
Anyone remember Robotrek for the SNES, which made you knock before entering other people's houses?
ASCAP Seeks Licensing Fees For Guitar Hero Arcade 146
Self Bias Resistor writes "According to a post on the Arcade-Museum forums, ASCAP is demanding an annual $800 licensing fee from at least one operator of a Guitar Hero Arcade machine, citing ASCAP licensing regulations regarding jukeboxes. An ASCAP representative allegedly told the operator that she viewed the Guitar Hero machine as a jukebox of sorts. The operator told ASCAP to contact Raw Thrills, the company that sells the arcade units. The case is ongoing and GamePolitics is currently seeking clarification of the story from ASCAP."
Comment I see a trend here (Score 1) 570
The PS2 was restricted for export because people thought Saddam would use them to build missile guidance units. We're using the PS3 to crack encryption. I can't wait to see what uses they'll think up for the Playstation 4. Nuclear simulation?
Forry Ackerman Dead At 92 83
rrohbeck was one of several readers to note the passing of Forrest J. Ackerman at the age of 92. Ackerman, who coined the term sci-fi in 1954, has been called the 'world's biggest fan.' Over a long career he acted as literary agent for Isaac Asimov, A.E. van Vogt, Hugo Gernsback, and L. Ron Hubbard; he published Ray Bradbury's first short story in a fan magazine in 1938. Ackerman wrote over 2,000 articles and short stories, including, oddly enough, lesbian fiction in the 1940s. In recent years, mounting health bills forced him to sell his home, the 'Ackermansion,' and most of the 300,000 items of memorabilia it stored.
Comment Philadelphia Contract? (Score 3, Interesting) 117
I wonder if this will affect Philadelphia also. We've been receiving advertisements in the mail announcing Earthlink as Philly's citywide wi-fi provider, but with Chicago and San Fran now stopped, and San Fran not seen as profitable, I find it hard to imagine that the Philadelphia city area will be as viable.
Submission + - 'Stealth advertising' infiltrating TV news (pressesc.com)
amigoro writes: "Over 90 per cent of newscasts in the US contained stealth advertising. Stealth advertising is showing advertisements outside regular commercial blocks cloaked as news. What's disturbing about this trend of "stealth advertising" is that viewers seldom are aware of potential slants in coverage because the connection of a story to an advertiser rarely is disclosed."
Submission + - Don Herbert, Dead at 89
Line Noise writes: Don Herbert, TV's 'Mr. Wizard', died today at age 89 of multiple myeloma. Mr. Herbert helped to bring science to kids in the 1950s with Watch Mr. Wizard, and again in the 1980s with Mr. Wizard's World.
Submission + - So long Mr. Wizard
nbvb writes: "It's a sad day for science. The one and only Mr. Wizard, Don Herbert, passed away today at the age of 89. It's impossible to count the number of children — worldwide — who were mesmerized by his amazing feats of science! To all of us who grew up with Mr. Wizard — let's hoist one high and remember a great man. Thanks Don — it's because of you that countless children were excited about science. May your legacy live on!"
