Comment Tax rebate (Score 1) 577
For running not running windows?
or tax surcharge for running windows?
Comment Software Patents (Score 1) 434
Software patents shouldn't be patentable in the first place anyhow.
It's just math.
Wind Farms Can Interfere With Doppler Radar 179
T Murphy writes "Wind farms can appear like storms or tornadoes on Doppler radar when placed too close to the radar. Tornado alley is a good area for wind farms, and good terrain for the turbines is also ideal for Doppler radar. With many new farms being constructed, the problem is growing. A false tornado warning was issued in Kansas by a computer, although canceled by a meteorologist aware of the problem — there are fears that false positives will grow. Worse would be a tornado ignored as a wind turbine. While meteorologists are trying to work with wind farm owners to shut off the turbines during bad weather, they have no control over the placement or operation of the turbines. Efforts are being made to improve detection technology to avoid further problems."
Comment Most Linux Programs (Score 1) 626
Most linux programs are small and do a small part. larger apps usually call down to smaller apps. Doesn't this in itself let the os balance the work across multiple processors? It seems that anything that is very intensive (like compiling or video conversion) the apps to make them run across many processors is already done. I have used gcc to compile across 6 diff machines at one point. Transcode uses all available processors. So does folding at home!
The only thing I really think is missing is a software based GLX engine that can use all available cores. perhaps a higher end video card isn't needed for basic 3d anymore.
Comment It bogles the mind why (Score 1) 127
It bogles the mind why they don't use torrents.
They could even set it up so your ps3 turns on at some time of the night. And downloads the "latest content" over torrents using something like an rss feed. eliminating the need to wait when using the store (for demos). Costs nothing in terms of bandwith. With the number of ps3s sold, and a rather small set of data to distribute (compared to all the data that torrents generate currently), this would be very fast.
It just seems like a no brainer.
Comment What you've done + computers (Score 2, Insightful) 374
I don't know what your past career was.
But taking what you know, about your past career, and merging it with computers might be a viable solution. Ie find out how tech is holding back what you do in your existing job. Or find a way tech can improve it. And then create that solution.
It is tough to do, but would let you marry what you've done with the past to program development and open up many oportunities for you. I did this at my first job, where i replaced a terrible order entry system. It has worked out very well for me.
Comment Re:The Support and Training Issue (Score 1) 323
Get the students involved. Espeically in the gr 8-12. There will undoubedly be a few geeks in every school with an interest in computers. Maybe give extra credit or whatever to have some students admin the network.
When i was in highschool i was one of the admins for a netware network. It worked out well for everyone involved. (I learned lots, the networks worked better than if left to the teacher etc).
Comment Even mozilla is doing this though... (Score 1) 311
I updated to Firefox 3.0.6 and it installed a Yahoo tool bar and menu without me asking!
Comment Movie? (Score 1) 298
What about the movie!?
