Just kidding of course, but this reminds me of vampires
On a more serious note, what about some kind of sunscreen?
Cheers,
Bruce.
Now that sounds even better (since the membrane is currently used with gas).
Even though my response (especially since it involves a fairly thick fluid - not a gas) and yours may not be applicable at the moment, I think they both suggest distant goals that would change the world as we know it.
Cheers, Bruce.
Thank for this info!
It will be interesting to see if anything changes now that Apple has entered the fray.
Given what you have experienced, I suspect that video calling may never really gain traction. I find it interesting that folks who are happy to chat face to face find it uncomfortable to chat with one another "visually" using technology.
I have some personal experience with video calling. Many years ago I purchased a number of units to be used in conjunction with television sets. I gave them to family members so we could all keep in contact. Let's just say that this went over like a lead balloon. Everyone tried to use the system, but if anything went wrong, there was no attempt to get stuff working again. Clearly, the ability to make video calls just wasn't compelling.
Cheers
Bruce.
I had forgotten about UMTS 3G videocalling because (as far as I know) it never made it over to this side of the pond.
Has it "taken hold" where it is available? If so, has it lead (as far as you know) to folks purchasing videocalling equipped handsets for their family members?
TIA!
Bruce.
Now we can buy them one!
Seriously, I think that this implementation of video calling has some major advantages over others:
1. You have the device with you all the time and it is ready to go with no preamble.
Other solutions (like Skype) require special equipment (a computer with video capabilities) and tie you down while you use them.
2. Having the second camera to show people what you see is actually pretty neat.
3. As with all things Apple, I suspect they have found the magic combination of physical hardware and targeted software that will make using their video phone a delight.
I agree with everything Steve Jobs is trying to do with his devices. He lets us use them his way. Oh, and if we play ball they work! *Bonus*
I hate the constrains Steve Jobs puts on me!
Here's the secret... wait for it...
Steve knows (and I know he knows) that folks like me will ultimately thank him because:
1. Our friends don't have to constantly ask for our help to de-virus, un-malware, re-install the thing after they shoot themselves in the foot with it *Beauty!*
2. We just jailbreak the thing (the Horror and the Beauty) and now Steve (I bought the device) and I (I stepped out of the walled garden but won't blame Apple for any problems I have) are both happy.
Cheers,
Bruce.
I bet they're trying to figure out how to "thread the needle"?
On the one hand they need to ensure that no one thinks they take this lightly. On the other hand, they're likely sick of the negative press this incident has drawn.
I suggest that they opt for a public apology from Gizmodo as well as a large cash donation from Giz to a worthy charity.
Hmm...
Cheers,
Bruce.
I spent some formative years in the US as a child and learned one thing above all that really stuck with me:
Government by the people for the people.
It would appear to me that the current Administration has utterly lost sight of this little idea. In addition, the Congress appears almost unwilling to exercise any form of government.
Now, in addition to all this, the federal government wants US citizens to carry "papers" (what else is an ID?) with them when they travel in their own country!
The terrorists had (and I'm sure could have again) these types of "papers". Even today various forms of ID (green cards, driver's licences) are available at major street corners if you have enough of your own papers (money).
It may be time for citizens to start staging civil protests.
Your representatives appear to be on an on-the-job holiday. Your Kin- er - *cough* President is named George and appears to have decided that he is a power unto himself (my favorite so far is the attempt to retroactively apply new laws). Your government has for years tortured foreign nationals and left them devoid of rights by dropping them onto a military base that isn't in the US.
Everytime one of these things is done, it is done in your name. Your fathers and mothers (along with those of folks in many other countries) died to ensure that nothing like this could ever happen in the US.
I was horrified and sorry when the Towers where attached, as were civilized people all over the earth. None the less, I doubt that those people are well served by having their country begin to resemble a government controlled armed camp! I imagine the only folks happy about this turn of events are those bastards in Al-Qaeda and their ilk.
Finally, perhaps I could and would remain silent were it not for the following:
1. I don't think any of the measures that have been taken or are being taken really heighten the individual security of US citizens.
2. I do think that many of the measures materially reduce your rights as free citizens. As these rights are removed so are your freedoms.
3. I think this kind of change and fear mongering could barely have been imagined in Al-Qaeda's fondest wet dreams.
4. I am terrified that by the time we all wake up from this nightmare it will be too late. The yolk will be firmly shacked around our necks.
Remember:
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Write your congressmen or congresswoman. Write your state officials. Write the Whitehouse. It is your country and only you can let it slip away.
*GASP*
That was a damn sight more than I intended to say!
It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do. -- Jerome Klapka Jerome