Comment Crash it (Score 4, Funny) 102
Real time flu tracking, eh? Let's all sneeze at once and see if we can crash it.
Comment Re:Similar logic (Score 1) 367
I disagree. I'm paying you for the option to buy electricity when I need it. It costs money to provide that option, and so I should (rightfully) pay for it. The fee for this option may have been implicity built into the rates in the past, but I think they are just changing their model to more closely reflect costs because the market is changing.
Comment Is it really that bad? (Score 2, Interesting) 367
I am not sure we can/should speculate on this without more details. Of course the energy company wants to ensure its revenues, but this may not be unreasonable. Even if you have solar, you're (probably) still connected to the grid. It's a huge convenience to you to use just a bit of energy when you really need it - but what if you only use $5 worth of electricity at a low cost? The billing probably process probably costs a nice percentage of your total bill! Is it really unreasonable to pay for a connectivity fee? I don't think it is necessarily...
Comment What he needs is... (Score 4, Funny) 995
Not legal advice, not a lawyer, but an audit.
Submission + - Lying Admin No Longer at Wikipedia
abscissa writes: Essjay, the one of highest level ups on Wikipedia who lied about his credentials in an effort to "protect his identity" (though he later announced his real name, age, and place of residence), announced that he will be leaving Wikipedia. He claimed to have several advanced degrees in theology and even went so far as to pretend to be a professor and write in support of a student (that content has now been permanently erased). He had been promoted to a paid Wikia position by Jimbo Wales, but after an outpouring of anger he was asked to resign by Jimbo (who claimed not to have all the facts until very recently).
The Technology of Drug Prohibition 724
ches_grin writes "Although the GWOT gets all the headlines, technology is proving to be the key factor in the 'war on drugs'. This article and slideshow take a look at the current state-of-the-art for both federal agents and drug traffickers, from greenhouses to Predator drones: 'In the pitched battle surrounding illegal drugs, each side has its advantages. Law enforcement can take advantage of private sector expertise, expensive machines, and, of course, the law. Those who cultivate, manufacture, and smuggle illegal drugs can leverage vast sums of cash, generated by constant demand.'"
