In a classic case of title misinterpretation, I thought next-gen consoles were leading the way with internal optical drives, ie. replacing the magnetic rotating disks.
I wonder if that tech is far off? It was promising plenty of TBs per cubic-centimetre if I remember rightly.

I agree. If I gave them the benefit of the doubt (deservedly or not), I'd say that they are at least hoping to provide a cheap and environmentally friendly choice when space is not the issue.

In context I think they are working from this starting point: "the Gratzel cell is a great concept, but it leaks, so let's see if we can improve on it so it's viable for the mass-market."
If they succeed, at worst we'll have an "green" alternative to current Silicon-based PV arrays, and at best we'll have a system that's cheaper to make, is more efficient, is more rugged, etc.
If they land in the middle, it'll be a great outcome!

It's important to note though, that if you can make twice as much panel area for less money, then you are being more efficient.
At the end of the day they are aiming for two different efficiencies:
1. A lower $cost/output
2. A higher output/environmental-footprint ratio.

I've heard that currently the rule-of-thumb for Photo-Voltaic arrays is 4 years operation before they pay for themselves. Maybe this new technology will lower that significantly

Actually, with the rise of the electric car, renewable electricity is directly lined up against oil in a HUGE way!

Sometimes thinking clearly needs a minute or two to kick in

http://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/12/05/22/2326206/inventor-of-the-tv-remote-control-dies

The TV remote control designer passed away a few days ago, and was obviously gunning for the top rated "Currently Dead Inventor".

We will take a moment's silence to remember his passing, and luckily, by using the Mute button, we can start the silence without getting up!

I can't believe this guy. He is so committed to getting in the current slashdot poll, that he's become the newest "Currently Dead Inventor".

I will create a post in the poll comments to record his memory forever - the inventor is dead! Long live the Inventor!

"Which is when the see it if they pirate it, so it appears to work for some folks. Also, they have these things called DVRs now."

Firstly, all I was saying is that no network can be held responsible for the show not being simulcast to all regions at once. It's just a logistical nightmare. Maybe it would be possible to do for 1 show with a less-than-24-hour delay, but not the 100s of shows on all around the world.

Secondly, are you seriously suggesting that a TV station would willingly put a series on TV at a time when they could expect to get a large proportion of viewers via DVR? I'm sure the advertisers (those paying to let you watch the show) would think that was a great idea!

A serious problem that cannot be sorted by the "antiquated methodology" is that the US primetime slot is far removed from the Australian and European primetime slot. A network is not to going to the air the episode when HBO do, just to get it "live". It would be on at 10:30am over here if they did.

"fans of the show have to wait a week before they can see the latest episode. So it's hardly a surprise that some people are turning to BitTorrent instead"

I live in Australia as well, and it's intolerable that we have to wait for our entertainment. I mean, those lazy American's are always a few days more entertained than we are!
Some fool tried to tell me that entertainment wasn't measured by the latency between a show airing and my viewing of it - how ridiculous!?!!? What a notion?

And don't get me started on the olympics - I'm considering suing the IOC everytime the Olympics are held abroad. I, and countless others Aussies, will have to wait til the evening to get any live action, whilst the English can watch it in the morning and afternoon as it happens. Outrageous!

sincerely, Balzi