Yeah, iPads are something like $300-$400 new (I don't know exactly, but hectobucks for sure). Handing thousands of them out seems generous and all, even if they are sold at a discount.

Apple (and other companies) are smart to try to be the first one to have their technology put in front of young people. Once the kids get hooked on the brand, many will stick with the brand for life.

Take the OP summary and replace the word "iPad" with "pack of Marlboro cigarettes" and see how this all hits you. It really is they same type of "hook 'em young" advertising that Big Tobacco got slammed for doing.

Hopefully these future technology consumers are learning something through the process.

Hmm, adding technology that allows the driver to focus their attention on what is going on in the back seat rather than the road? What could go wrong?

They need a "Sit Down and Shut-Up" package - 5 point restraints and ball-gags for the kids in the back seat.

Pretty much anything entered online == stolen.

Amirite?

Aw yeah, I'm right.

Ha ha, CAPTCHA is "redesign"

I'm both an engineer and have served America in the USAF for many years.

Learn some manners or get out of MY country.

A rudimentary spell checker in the posting mechanism would probably kill off half of the grammar-Nazi posters on Slashdot. But Dice would lose eyeballs doing that, so it ain't gonna happen.

Besides, the l337 h4x0r2 script kiddies would get booted too. Boo hoo!

Wouldn't this basically be a stake in the heart of what makes Bitcoin Bitcoin - the ability to anonymize transactions?

If that goes away, then Bitcoin value will turn to vapor pretty quickly.

Hey Jimmy*, drag is proportional to the square of velocity *because* of air resistance. Thought you might like to know, but knowledge doesn't seem to be your happy place.

You don't know what you're talking about AC, so please shut the hell up and let the more knowledgeable adults talk, m'kay?

And before you start getting all snarky, I teach engineering, and I am quite capable of telling you that you don't know your ass from your elbow.

You don't know your ass from your elbow.

So shut up. Now.

*Jimmy is my favorite pet name for dumbshits that don't know basic physics but like to spout off like they do on Slashdot.

The engineering is easy. It's been done to death in other countries. Fast trains are a piece of cake...except for the U.S. Here it is a socialist plot to..to...to get people from point A to B quickly!

Here, in 'Murica, you must drive your car, citizen! Taking a train anywhere is blasphemy. You will be punished by courteous service, relaxed (but not the most expedient) travel, and sensible security precautions. Those missing their anal probing will have to submit to the airlines and the TSA, unfortunately.

This. Fast trains are not rocket science...unless you live in the US of A. Here it is a Jetson's fantasy future world to have trains that can get you from point A to B faster than a car.

In the rest of the world, meh, not so much. Been there, done that.

Hate to break it you America, but our shit does stink. We're headed toward 3rd world status, all for the want of motivation.

I'll get modded to negative infinity pretty soon by the folks who can't face the truth, but America needs to get off its ass and get moving on a really basic level.

Umm, yeah..if you're a cantankerous old coot willing to waste time out of his life to have a dumb government take your pennies, more power to you!

There is a better way. It's not fucking rocket science. I've got better things to do with my life than stand in a queue waiting for someone to accept my pile of pennies.

The U.S. penny (just like the Canadian penny) is pretty much noise in the commerce system. Get rid of it, and make dollar coins that can actually used in basic daily transactions. It makes automated transactions like meters, tolls, and cojn-operated machines a piece of cake.

Fuck, some people like to do things the hard way and be miserable. Whatever, I got a life to enjoy. Stop making it difficult, eh?

I won't claim to be a astrophysicist, but "dark matter" strikes me as similar to the "ether" posited 120-odd years ago. I'm curious to know if dark matter is simply an artifact of observational resolution, or is it really and truly a difference between accurate observation and theory.

In particle accelerators, the Standard Model seems to be holding up well. Versus astronomical observations, not so much. In my ignorance, I wonder if this is just due to the uncertainty in observations.

Anybody want to clue me in on the state of affairs, with my thanks?

We can introduce the Sarah Palin dollar coin and call that the "Loony"! *Badum tish!*

Try the veal folks, I'm here all night!

..it's an Exogorth Lair!

Break out the chain mail bikini! You go Thor!

That is easily defeated by playing music in the background:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2LJ1i7222c