Submission + - Scientist makes quantum computing breakthrough
ashmon writes: "A University of Utah physicist and his team have made a breakthrough that could pave the way to quantum computing, in which computers can calculate many billions of times faster than they do now. The process currently involves super cooling phosphorus atoms in a silicon matrix and then making the spin of the atoms "flip up and down 'in concert for a few billionths of a second,'" with magnetic fields and microwave radiation. A final product is still at least 15 years off, but this could give a glimpse into the future of supercomputing."
Submission + - Global warming affects satellites' orbits
Dr. Zowie writes: "As the greenhouse effect warms the lower layers of Earth's atmosphere, it is cooling the outermost layers and gradually reducing drag on satellites and space junk, according to a press conference this morning at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco today. The "thermosphere", or outermost layer of the atmosphere, is unaffected by weather patterns or geography, so this is a planet-wide measurement of climate change. Is there anyone left who still doesn't believe global warming is happening?"
Submission + - The FCC's AT&T/Bellsouth bias?
PetManimal writes: "The Federal Communications Commission has ruled that commissioner Robert McDowell can participate in the agency's decision on the proposed $78 billion AT&T/BellSouth merger, even though McDowell has a conflict of interest:
Preston Gralla writes:McDowell normally would have had to stay out of the vote because he recently worked for the Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel), which actively opposes the buyout. That would have left the agency deadlocked, with two commissioners favoring the deal and two others refusing to approve it, at least without more conditions.... Although CompTel is opposed to the acquisition, the decision to include McDowell, a Republican, might provide the vote needed to clear the deal. [FCC Chairman Kevin] Martin and Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, both Republicans, support approval.
"Anyone who ever believed that the FCC cares about anything other than ensuring maximum profits for AT&T and friends has been living under a delusion, as an FCC action makes clear today.... McDowell, a Republican, can be counted on with the two other Republicans on the panel (including Martin) to allow the deal to go through with absolutely no consumer protections.
Journal Journal: Notha day, notha dollah
Spent the weekend suffering from a mighty sinus infection. In spite of the infection I was successful in mudding in an app that might actually, in a small way, help slow air pollution.
Now I am at my regular job, getting ready to install computers at a factory that produces jet engines.
My real-life kharma sucks ass.
Shame on me.
