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Comment These books aren't meant for sale in the USA (Score 1) 242

I've bought textbooks from overseas before as they were 1/4 the cost of a one here and nearly identical (paper is cheaper, quality control is non-existent and rarely some chapters/questions are different). The textbook explicitly says not for purchase or resale outside of India (or whatever country).

He made $37,000 in revenue according to the article -- this isn't just a few books, this is an import business he set up. In this case, the student bought and sold them for profit. This is clearly trying to circumvent the publisher's distribution methods.

The publishers are douches for marking them up massively for first world countries, but it's their right and they're within the law to do this. They rightfully went after him. Will they get paid? Highly unlikely, but at least they prevent copycats.

Again I think the publishers are dicks for gouging students, but, until a law is passed preventing this, or another method of textbook distribution is created, they can do this.

Comment Re:You can have 2: cheap, realtime, or resolution. (Score 0) 549

Sure it is. You know how expensive a professional engineer costs? How about several engineers and other employees? These companies don't sell millions of hearing aids a year, it's a niche market, with lots of products to choose from.

It's a good thing insurance covers the cost, unless you live in the USA -- then you're screwed and can only afford 10 year old tech...

Comment Re:Not that simple (Score 1) 144

So the ball might be going 10% slower at the catcher -- the calculation still gives a number near 1000 fps, good for a ballpark figure. Also, they may have recorded at a very high rate, but skip frames during playback to show reasonable detail at a reasonable speed. They may use the full frames to analyze the motions that we cannot see from the videos they have posted.

Comment Re:But that's not the real problem. (Score 1) 1651

It also has to do with how the drivers respect cyclists. When I was in Japan, the drivers were highly respectful of each other and those around them (generally, and compared to North America). Compare that to the other extreme, the middle east where cycling is also extensive. Cyclists get hit all the time -- a car I was in bumped a cyclist and everyone just went on like it didn't happen while I was in India.

Perhaps in Japan people don't need helmets as you say, but they should be used in other places. I use a helmet when I cycle to work, my head is too important to worry about my hair!

Comment Re:Silly (Score 1) 388

I'll bite. What shall we line it with? Companies are replacing BPA with other plasticizers with unknown effects. Plastics are porous and chemicals can be emitted from them. ANY plastic is likely to be an issue.

How about no coating? Well that won't quite work either, as the can will corrode or be damaged (which is why the coating is there in the first place).

So what shall we do oh wise one?

Comment Re:Why? (Score 1) 497

True, food grown without pesticides are free from pesticide residue. However NO ONE grows food without pesticides.

Organic foods are free from SYNTHETIC pesticides. Farmers are free to use organic pesticides, which can range from minor irritants to deadly. Some organic pesticides are banned for use on food -- do a quick search and you'll find out tons of info...

Comment Re:No surprise?? I dunno (Score 2) 497

Organic pesticides are not necessarily "simple" chemicals. There are some very deadly organic chemicals and pesticides that are banned for food use. Just as with any synthetic chemical, pesticide or fertilizer, their effect can be minimal or extremely hazardous. Organic doesn't mean "safe" -- a pesticide is a toxin and made to kill, regardless of what it is made of.

Comment Re:And? (Score 1) 497

Seriously? Do a quick search and you'll find your answer.

Organic simply means no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Farmers are free to use organic pesticides, and that doesn't necessarily mean they're safer. ANY pesticide is toxic (by definition). However, organic farmers generally try and minimize their use of pesticides and do their best to support a healthy ecosystem.

Comment Re:There's nothing Darwin about it. (Score 1) 992

You may be an excellent driver at 85 or 100 mph, but how about the general population? They share that road with you. Newly licensed teenagers, old grannies and then you have drunks, lunatics and people who are just having a bad day.

At 85 mph, you have considerably less "look-ahead time" and less time to react than at lower speeds. I'd love to drive on limitless roads but only if I had the road to myself. It's the other clowns on the road that scare me.

Comment Re:useless aspect ratio (Score 1) 341

The fact that everyone makes 1920x1080 now brings down the price for everyone. There are some alternatives if you want higher resolution -- however they are more expensive because of lack of demand. I'd prefer a higher resolution monitor, but I'm happy enough with 1920x1080 that I don't want to spend the extra money for higher resolution.

Comment Re:privacy? (Score 1) 302

And so what? This data isn't put out there for the public to examine. I think it's a good idea. For the small invasion of privacy (and it is indeed small -- no one gives a shit when you go to the grocery store), the benefits are large. There are many warrants out on people who drive cars, this would enable tracking THEM. Also, it can be used to examine cars in an area during a robbery or other crime, and determine the direction they went. Or where a car went after a kidnapping. And criminals are stupid, so don't expect them to be clever enough cover up the plates.

If YOU don't want to be tracked, then start taking transit or ride a bike. I would welcome these in my area.

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