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Comment Where we need to get to call this real (Score 1) 480

Before we call this real, we need to put one on some object in orbit, leave it in continuous operation, and use it to raise the orbit by a measurable amount large enough that there would not be argument regarding where it came from. The Space Station would be just fine. It has power for experiments that is probably sufficient and it has a continuing problem of needing to raise its orbit.

And believe me, if this raises the orbit of the Space Station they aren't going to want to disconnect it after the experiment. We spend a tremendous amount of money to get additional Delta-V to that thing, and it comes down if we don't.

Comment Re:Well... (Score 1) 108

With some optimism that might only be thousands of years rather than hundreds of Millions.

But it's only necessary for Earth to be uninhabitable for a short time to end the Human race. And that can happen due to man or nature, today. If people aren't somewhere else during that process, that's the end.

Comment Re:Big whoop (Score 1) 45

I wouldn't mind moving up to a device with 3GB RAM, as I frequently browse with multiple open tabs and can actually run a 2GB device out of memory. CPU performance isn't a major issue for me and you're right that more or less anything with a Snapdragon 800-series is probably just fine, but extra pixels on screen are great, more RAM is great and support for high capacity microSD is great if you didn't already have it.

The G4 is the only current-generation flashship phone with both a removable battery and a card reader, so if those things are important to you, this device is still a pretty big deal.

Comment It's time to fight back (Score 1) 636

I'm starting to think the only way to stop these companies from wholesale firing so they can replace everyone with cheap H1-B workers is to make them targets for massive cyber attacks. Not that I can do that. It's not my skillset. But if it ever does happen, I'm going to sit back with a big bag of popcorn and laugh my ass off.

Comment Re:Integrity much? (Score 1) 127

Yup. Fark is getting less fun ever day because Drew sold out. The very reason we go to fark is for the outrage and silliness. But all too often a moderator obviously born a Puritan steps in and ruins the fun.

Also, their moderators are idiots. When I called out someone who said something extremely racist and offensive, I got a 24 hour ban. When I complained the fucking moron of a moderator insisted the statement I referred to wasn't racist. Yes it was. It was extremely offensive to Filipino women. I know, because I asked my Filipino niece. Fark either needs to get moderators who aren't racist morons.

Comment Re: Elon Musk (Score 1) 108

Obviously I am missing something, then. Please fill me in on your better information sources. Email to bruce at perens dot com if you don't want to put them on Slashdot.

It's time to start planning another trip to Lompoc. The Motel 6 was sort of yukky last time. Maybe I'll try something else. There was an official visitor observation site that I found and got into last time, but that was for the Delta, and it was on Pad 4 if I remember correctly. This one is all the way on the other side of the base on Pad 7 or 8, isn't it? There are some farm roads that might be good observation sites if they are open.

Comment Re:Well... (Score 1) 108

I am not confident that the world will remain a hospitable place for life until we are ready by your standard.

Getting the resources and people there is very close to being within our technical capability. The task ourselves, if we perform it, will take care of the remaining gaps.

Creating a self-sustaining colony outside of the Earth's environment is going to need a lot of work, but it is not work that can ever be achieved on this earth. We have to actually put people in space to achieve this. Our best experience so far is with submarines. Academic research has so far yielded only farcial frauds like Biosphere II.

Comment Re:Again? (Score 1) 141

Technically, making transceivers work when there are 30 of them in vehicles next to each other can get difficult. People wonder why you can buy a dual-band walkie talkie for $60 but the one in the police car costs much more. If it's well engineered, the one in the police car has some RF plumbing that isn't in the $60 walkie talkie.

Comment Re:Well... (Score 1) 108

You do know that science isn't the only reason to go to space, don't you?

There is the issue of continuing the existence of the Human race, and whatever other life we choose to bring with us.

Planets and suns aren't sure things, you know. We sort of take ours for granted, but there is the evidence of the sky around us. And the ominous silence of a galaxy that should be filled with intelligent life...

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