Comment Re:A RECORD PLAYER? (Score 1) 54
It works. Check out the video about halfway down the page i linked in my post here: http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2474584&cid=37702424
Comment Re:Website (Score 2) 54
While the linked website does contain pictures, the gallery(s) linked are for their prior existing technology, not this new DISC skimmer The new stuff can be found here: http://www.elastec.com/xprize/index.php
Comment Re: (Score 4, Informative) 54
Wrong - while the linked website does contain pictures, the gallery(s) linked are for their prior existing technology, not this new DISC skimmer (you linked to the drum skimmers of old)
The new stuff can be found here: http://www.elastec.com/xprize/index.php
Comment Re:Can't wait to make these criminals billionaires (Score 1) 129
To imply that you would somehow still socialize with those people outside Facebook, when you wont on Facebook, is a bit disingenuous.
I used to be horribly socially inept, a veritable outcast, as it were. Then I met my wife. And I came to a realization. If people don't have time to include me, they can go fuck themselves.
Now I have two very close friends. Everyone on Facebook? People that i barely care about, but have to "keep in touch with" for various reasons (family, friends of family, etc) - using Facebook to stay in touch with them makes it a hell of a lot easier to avoid talking to them on the phone, since I could really give a fuck less. Now I can just ignore the phone when it rings and say "oh, sorry".
But seriously. Who cares about everyone else being assholes. Fuck Em. Go out and enjoy life, find one or two really good people to share experiences with, and it will go a long way into making life be fucking awesome. Social exclusiveness will be no more, since you wont give a fuck what people think anymore.
Comment Re:ICD-10 is not "New" (Score 1) 380
It is obvious you did not read the article I linked as an example. Just like any tool, it can certainly be misused - however, having highly specific and detailed diagnosis codes can prevent serious, even potentially life-threatening mistakes from happening.
Just because its being mandated for "billing", does not mean the same codes aren't used for a myriad of other things, from patient communication, to history checks before treatment.
I am not trying to put some rose colored glasses on everyone and imply that some, if not most insurance companies will do Bad Things, especially those who are out to earn profit and beholden to their shareholders. But at the same time, one should not paint this change with such a broad stroke so as to imply it is globally bad.
FWIW, most health insurance companies were against ICD10 adoption, due to the cost of implementation, and the fact they could no longer deny claims in certain cases due to enhanced detail. That is why it's adoption was delayed.
Just because its being mandated for "billing", does not mean the same codes aren't used for a myriad of other things, from patient communication, to history checks before treatment.
I am not trying to put some rose colored glasses on everyone and imply that some, if not most insurance companies will do Bad Things, especially those who are out to earn profit and beholden to their shareholders. But at the same time, one should not paint this change with such a broad stroke so as to imply it is globally bad.
FWIW, most health insurance companies were against ICD10 adoption, due to the cost of implementation, and the fact they could no longer deny claims in certain cases due to enhanced detail. That is why it's adoption was delayed.
Comment ICD-10 is not "New" (Score 2) 380
ICD-10 has existed since the 80's - it is not "new", and it was not created by the laws, however it was modified heavily for the version (CM being implemented) ( Work on ICD-10 began in 1983 and was completed in 1992. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICD-10 / Draft Revisions were finished on ICD-10-CM in 2003 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICD-CM ) The laws have, however, mandated its implementation in the US by October 1, 2013 (preceded by HIPAA5010 no later than 01/01/2012), and with good reason I might add. Its just a flying shame it has taken this long to get around to being mandated - it was originally slated to be implemented by October 1, 2010 - but the healthcare lobby didn't want to spend all the money up-front to adapt, and so they delayed it.
For those implementing it, it is a major PITA - but in the end it will result in better, more efficient medical billing and information exchange. This is a Good Thing (TM) - It should go a long way to help avoid things like this: http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/08/26/2316210/VA-Mistakenly-Tells-Vets-They-Have-Fatal-Illness
For clarification, ICD-10 proper has been in use in the US already for some time, since 1999, but only for mortality reporting, not billing/procedure detail, etc.
Full Disclosure: I work for a major regional health carrier on adopting full HIPAA 5010 and ICD-10/ICD-10-CM support.
For those implementing it, it is a major PITA - but in the end it will result in better, more efficient medical billing and information exchange. This is a Good Thing (TM) - It should go a long way to help avoid things like this: http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/08/26/2316210/VA-Mistakenly-Tells-Vets-They-Have-Fatal-Illness
For clarification, ICD-10 proper has been in use in the US already for some time, since 1999, but only for mortality reporting, not billing/procedure detail, etc.
Full Disclosure: I work for a major regional health carrier on adopting full HIPAA 5010 and ICD-10/ICD-10-CM support.
Comment Re:Trademark (Score 2) 247
Corporate ownership ----- At Star Trek's creation, Norway Productions, Roddenberry's production company, shared ownership with Desilu and, after Gulf+Western acquired Desilu in 1967, with Paramount Pictures, the conglomerate's film studio. Paramount did not want to own the unsuccessful show; net profit was to be shared between Norway, Desilu/Paramount, Shatner, and NBC but Star Trek lost money, and the studio did not expect to syndicate it. In 1970 Paramount offered to sell all rights to Star Trek to Roddenberry, but he could not afford the $150,000 ($848,000 today) price. In 1989 Gulf+Western renamed itself as Paramount Communications, and in 1994 merged with Viacom.[70]:218,220,223 In 2005 Viacom divided into CBS Corporation, whose CBS Television Studios subsidiary retained the Star Trek brand, and Viacom, whose Paramount Pictures subsidiary retained the Star Trek film library and rights to make additional films.[71]
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek (bottom of page, which has original sources)
Justice Dept. Files Antitrust Complaint Against AT&T and T-Mobile Merger 301
Hitting the front page for the first time, AngryDeuce writes with a piece of exciting news hot off the news wire. From the article: "The Justice Department is blocking AT&T's $39 billion deal to buy T-Mobile USA, saying the acquisition of the No. 4 wireless carrier in the country by No. 2 AT&T would reduce competition and raise prices. The deal has faced tough opposition from consumer groups and No. 3 carrier Sprint since it was announced in March."
The DOJ has released a full statement on their decision to file the antitrust suit, and AT&T has drafted a response. So much for AT&T's paltry promise of bringing 5000 unskilled call center jobs back to the U.S. if the merger were approved. Competition may yet live!
Journal Journal: I finally registered
Hi
Comment Anonymous Coward Becomes Known Coward :) (Score 2) 951
I've been an anonymous coward for years, but I finally decided to register today, for some unknown reason.
In any case, the post I was going to make as an AC is below:
here has been some typical outcry about this change (eg "TEH NOES RIBBONS R TEH CARP") - but I think this is genuinely a Good Thing (TM) - I hated ribbons at first too - but after a couple years of using office 2007/2010 I have become accustomed to the ribbons - and what I see among less... skilled users is that they greatly prefer the ribbons.
I have had no trouble in office continuing to use my keyboard shortcuts I learned many years ago - and I am sure it will be the same for this change as well. It will simply give more options and/or make them more accessible for those who don't have all the keyboard shortcuts memorized :)
Microsoft 'Ribbonizes' Windows 8 File Manager 951
CWmike writes "Microsoft said today it will 'ribbonize' the file manager in next year's Windows 8, adding Explorer to the short list of integrated applications that already sport the interface in Windows 7. Microsoft's Alex Simons, director of program management, released screenshots of the new ribbon interface planned for Explorer (scroll way down). 'We evaluated several different UI command affordances including expanded versions of the Vista/Windows 7 command bar, Windows 95/Windows XP style toolbars and menus, several entirely new UI approaches, and the Office style ribbon,' explained Simons. 'Of these, the ribbon approach offered benefits in line with our goals.' Plans by Microsoft and others to ribbonize applications have often met resistance. 'We knew that using a ribbon for Explorer would likely be met with skepticism by a set of power users, but there are clear benefits,' Simons said."
