Comment As a fan of backward compatibility, I'm going meh (Score 1) 199
Not certain how big a deal this is. Even MS Office 2013 is not fully compatible with Office 2003-2007 format documents.
Comment Re:The government can borrow for free (Score 2) 180
from Krugman's blog, 5- 7- and 10-year bonds have negative yields. Investors are paying the government to buy these things instead of going into stocks.
Comment Re:Another scaremongering story (Score 1) 416
Dude, did you even look at the picture in the article?
You can see the tracks left behind by the wheels on the other side of the airplane. It was sinking into the tarmac before it stopped. I seriously doubt the plane was still longer than normal operating times.
Comment Re:I thought the SCOTUS had become a political bod (Score 1) 2416
There is the Roberts Court legacy to think of. Kidding aside, one analysis that I read does make a good case that this ground-breaking in a big way that a number of people have missed. As in saying that the mandate penalty falls under Congress's power to tax is a minnow next to the following whale.
This ruling also limits the Commerce Clause.
Comment Bloomberg is reporting it as well (Score 1) 1
Submission + - DoJ Files Suit Against Apple, eBook Publishers (cnet.com) 1
Submission + - Tennessee "Teaching the Controversy" Bill Passed Into Law (google.com) 1
MrKevvy writes: The Tennessee "Teaching the Controversy" bill was passed into law today.
"A law to allow public school teachers to challenge the scientific consensus on issues like climate change and evolution will soon take effect in Tennessee.
State governor Bill Haslam allowed the bill — passed by the state House and Senate — to become law without signing it, saying he did not believe the legislation "changes the scientific standards that are taught in our schools."
"A law to allow public school teachers to challenge the scientific consensus on issues like climate change and evolution will soon take effect in Tennessee.
State governor Bill Haslam allowed the bill — passed by the state House and Senate — to become law without signing it, saying he did not believe the legislation "changes the scientific standards that are taught in our schools."
Comment NASA Spin-offs (Score 1) 373
I realize that the 'in' thing is to bash "big, bad inefficient" government, but do try to keep up with the times. 30 second search on Wikipedia.
From Wiki
1 NASA spin-off technologies
1.1 Health and medicine
1.1.1 Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
1.1.2 Infrared ear thermometers
1.1.3 Ventricular assist device
1.1.4 Artificial limbs
1.2 Transportation
1.2.1 Aircraft anti-icing systems
1.2.2 Highway safety
1.2.3 Improved radial tires
1.2.4 Chemical detection
1.3 Public safety
1.3.1 Video enhancing and analysis systems
1.3.2 Fire-resistant reinforcement
1.3.3 Firefighting equipment
1.4 Consumer, home, and recreation
1.4.1 Temper foam
1.4.2 Enriched baby food
1.4.3 Portable cordless vacuums
1.4.4 Freeze drying
1.5 Environmental and agricultural resources
1.5.1 Water purification
1.5.2 Solar energy
1.5.3 Pollution remediation
1.6 Computer technology
1.6.1 Structural analysis software
1.6.2 Remotely controlled ovens
1.6.3 NASA Visualization Explorer
1.7 Industrial productivity
1.7.1 Powdered lubricants
1.7.2 Improved mine safety
1.7.3 Food safety
NASA even publishes a report of its spin-off technologies ( http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/ )
Here is a list from 2010;
NASA Technologies Benefiting Society
Health and Medicine
Burnishing Techniques Strengthen Hip Implants
Signal Processing Methods Monitor Cranial Pressure
Ultraviolet-Blocking Lenses Protect, Enhance Vision
Hyperspectral Systems Increase Imaging Capabilities
Transportation
Programs Model the Future of Air Traffic Management
Tail Rotor Airfoils Stabilize Helicopters, Reduce Noise
Personal Aircraft Point to the Future of Transportation
Ducted Fan Designs Lead to Potential New Vehicles
Winglets Save Billions of Dollars in Fuel Costs
Sensor Systems Collect Critical Aerodynamics Data
Coatings Extend Life of Engines and Infrastructure
Public Safety
Radiometers Optimize Local Weather Prediction
Energy-Efficient Systems Eliminate Icing Danger for UAVs
Rocket-Powered Parachutes Rescue Entire Planes
Technologies Advance UAVs for Science, Military
Inflatable Antennas Support Emergency Communication
Smart Sensors Assess Structural Health
Hand-Held Devices Detect Explosives and Chemical Agents
Terahertz Tools Advance Imaging for Security, Industry
Consumer, Home, and Recreation
LED Systems Target Plant Growth
Aerogels Insulate Against Extreme Temperatures
Image Sensors Enhance Camera Technologies
Lightweight Material Patches Allow for Quick Repairs
Nanomaterials Transform Hairstyling Tools
Do-It-Yourself Additives Recharge Auto Air Conditioning
Environmental and Agricultural Resources
Systems Analyze Water Quality in Real Time
Compact Radiometers Expand Climate Knowledge
Energy Servers Deliver Clean, Affordable Power
Solutions Remediate Contaminated Groundwater
Bacteria Provide Cleanup of Oil Spills, Wastewater
Reflective Coatings Protect People and Animals
Computer Technology
Innovative Techniques Simplify Vibration Analysis
Modeling Tools Predict Flow in Fluid Dynamics
Verification Tools Secure Online Shopping, Banking
Toolsets Maintain Health of Complex Systems
Framework Resources Multiply Computing Power
Tools Automate Spacecraft Testing, Operation
GPS Software Packages Deliver Positioning Solutions
Solid-State Recorders Enhance Scientific Data Collection
Computer Models Simulate Fine Particle Dispersion
Industrial Productivity iconIndustrial Productivity
Composite Sandwich Technologies Lighten Components
Cameras Reveal Elements in the Short Wave Infrared
Deformable Mirrors Correct Optical Distortions
Stitching Techniques Advance Optics Manufacturing
Compact, Robust Chips Integrate Optical Functions
Fuel Cell Stations Automate Processes, Catalyst Testing
Onboard Systems Record Unique Videos of Space Missions
Space Research Results Purify Semiconductor Materials
Toolkits Control Motion of Complex Robotics
Submission + - 5 Hot Tech Policy Agenda Items You Need to Watch (cio.com)
bdcny7927 writes: From providing more spectrum space for wireless providers to battling online piracy to creating cybersecurity policy to protecting intellectual property, expect things to heat up in Washington this year. So pour yourself a cup of coffee and read on to learn how lawmakers will impact the tech world in the year ahead.
Comment They are a 'Fallacy of the Middle' party (Score 1) 249
Another example of 'High Broderism' made into a political party, like Bloomberg's try or the 'No Labels' party. When one party's response to a cut finger is to recommend to cut off the patient's hand and the other party's recommendation is to cut the patient's arm off at the shoulder, these 'centralists' would compromise and just cut the patient's arm off at the elbow instead of getting out the band-aide.
America Elect is a group of campaign consultants looking for a front man.
America Elect is a group of campaign consultants looking for a front man.
Comment Re:Using US or international standards? (Score 1) 639
+1
In Europe, I'd be a left-of-center. But in the States, far-left DFH.
The over use of the 'Fallacy of the Middle' has shifted the Overton Window way over.
In Europe, I'd be a left-of-center. But in the States, far-left DFH.
The over use of the 'Fallacy of the Middle' has shifted the Overton Window way over.
Submission + - Atom Smashers Get an Antimatter Surprise (io9.com)
suraj.sun writes: The Large Hadron Collider is constantly on the hunt for "new physics" — discoveries that confound and expand our current understanding of the universe... and it may have found one in the decay patterns of a subatomic particle and its antimatter counterpart.
Specifically, particles called D-mesons appear to decay in a slightly different way than their antiparticles, and this seemingly small finding could explain why the early universe became dominated by matter instead of antimatter. According to project physicist Matthew Charles, the results have a statistical certainty of 3.5 sigma — meaning there's a 99.95% chance that these results will hold up, but still short of the 5 sigma level needed to declare this a formal discovery.
However, the team still has a huge amount of data still to work through, so there's an excellent chance that we'll know one way or the other about this result in the near future.
http://io9.com/5859845/the-large-hadron-collider-may-have-discovered-why-we-dont-live-in-a-universe-of-antimatter
Specifically, particles called D-mesons appear to decay in a slightly different way than their antiparticles, and this seemingly small finding could explain why the early universe became dominated by matter instead of antimatter. According to project physicist Matthew Charles, the results have a statistical certainty of 3.5 sigma — meaning there's a 99.95% chance that these results will hold up, but still short of the 5 sigma level needed to declare this a formal discovery.
However, the team still has a huge amount of data still to work through, so there's an excellent chance that we'll know one way or the other about this result in the near future.
http://io9.com/5859845/the-large-hadron-collider-may-have-discovered-why-we-dont-live-in-a-universe-of-antimatter
Comment Missing Option (Score 1) 292
Made me glad to live here
Comment Missing Option (Score 1) 449
There are movies with accurate physics?
Submission + - Did Adobe hide 400 Flash Player security fixes? (zdnet.com)
An anonymous reader writes: A high-profile Google information security engineer is accusing Adobe of burying documentation on 400 security vulnerabilities in the latest Flash Player update.
