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Comment Misleading title (Score 1) 282

...because it promises more than it delivers. The title implies there's a universally perfect way to cut a pizza so everyone gets an equal share. Well, duh. What TFM tells you is how to figure out if everyone is getting an equal share.

I'll save you some time: Ensure you make an even number of cuts >= 4.

Comment Not forced, but decision is important (Score 1) 410

I moved from a technical a more administrative role because it was the natural progression in the career path I've chosen. So one consideration for you is if you have a future in mind that requires a steady upward progression through the organizational hierarchy. Another consideration is how management would view a declination of additional responsibility. I've had some managers who were perfectly OK with having someone stop at a chosen point; others (in the same company) want only--or primarily--upwardly mobile people working for them.

Is the increased responsibility and availability sufficiently compensated? Will you be comfortable managing those who were until recently your peers? Other considerations aside--from a purely avocational perspective--which would you rather do: your current job or the one being offered?

Comment Re:Disney sells product that solves Disney's probl (Score 3, Insightful) 498

I saw the WSJ article on this. The only thing it solves is the problem of storing large media files on low-capacity hardware. In all other respects, it's an industry solution in search of a consumer problem. Given a comprehensive set of easily-followed instructions on how to convert and load media files on different platforms (PCs, phones, etc.), this "solution" solves nothing for me. If I'm sufficiently technically savvy to convert a movie so it will play on my iPod, why do I need this?

Comment Old news, surely (Score 2, Interesting) 241

They've already tried to purchase Disney once before, as I recall. I think there's no question of anti-trust on this; we're talking a straightforward attempt at vertical integration within an industry. Comcast can even argue that Time Warner and Viacom have already set precedents for the acceptability of such a merger and that, in fact, Comcast needs to do such a deal to remain competitive.

Communications

Submission + - SC considers wireless net as public service

jeffery_donahue writes: "According to The Lancaster News, the legislature of South Carolina is considering offering municipal wireless internet throughout the state. "The state House recently passed a resolution creating the S.C. Wireless Technology and Communications Commission, which will study the feasibility of creating a statewide wireless broadband network using existing ETV towers." Also among the topics of debate is the matter of a virtual classroom."
Security

Submission + - Microsoft OneCare Can Eat Your Email

writertype writes: "Neil Rubenking has posted a report on PC Magazine's AppScout blog, warning that Microsoft's dodgy OneCare antivirus software will quarantine your entire email store if it detects a virus. And, of course, since OneCare finished dead last in a recent A/V roundup, the problem is even more serious. As the reputation of OneCare disintegrates, it looks like Microsoft has some work to do in developing OneCare 2.0 before the company brings it to market."
It's funny.  Laugh.

Submission + - Verizon Fails 3rd Grade Math - Over and Over

stdio9 writes: "One man's struggle to re-educate Verizon employees about 3rd grade mathematics fails, with recorded audio. Hey Verizon: If the customer service manager is making $100k a year, you have a great opportunity here. Rather than paying $0.01335 a second, try paying 0.01335 cents a second. Imagine the cost savings you will turn over for all the phone reps that don't understand the difference. (Assumes a 2080 work hour year, with paid vacation and holidays.)"
Media

Submission + - Who needs iTunes? Indie-friendly video stores

An anonymous reader writes: Adams Media Research predicts that by 2011, the online video market will be worth $5.8 billion, and bucking today's trend, the majority of that revenue will be generated through selling downloads not ad-supported content. It's perhaps no surprise then, to see a number of paid-for download services pop up over the last 18 months — with Apple's iTunes being the market leader. However, in the eyes of many of these stores, not all producers are created equal. For example, if you're an independent and you want to get your work into iTunes, you're out of luck. The same goes for Google Video's paid-for download option. As ZDNet reports, a number of indie-friendly paid-for download services have stepped up to fill the void.
Space

Submission + - Travel Back in Time Not Possible

anthemaniac writes: Time travel has long been one of those "theoretically possible" things that makes Sci-Fi thrive. But while going forward in time is still perhaps possible, going back has been all but ruled out, according to an article (and accompanying videos) at LiveScience. Chiming in are four scientists who think about this a lot: Brian Greene, Charles Liu, Michio Kaku and J. Richard Gott. Liu flatly states: "It is not possible for you and me to travel backward in time."
Robotics

Submission + - Automatic Beer Launching Fridge

gondarlinux writes: "From this site:
Have you ever gotten up off the couch to get a beer for the umpteenth time and thought, "What if instead of ME going to get the BEER, the BEER came to ME???" Well, that was how I first conceived of the beer launching fridge. About 3 months and several hundred dollars later I have a fully automated, remote controlled, catapulting, man-pit approved, beer launching mini-fridge. It holds 10 beers in its magazine with 14 more in reserve to store a full case. It is controlled by a keyless entry system. Pressing unlock will start the catapult rotating and when it is aiming at your target, pressing unlock again will stop it. Then the lock button can be pressed to launch a beer in the selected direction." Here's the video:"
Microsoft

Microsoft WGA Phones Home Even When Told No 403

Aviran writes "When you start WGA setup and get to the license agreement page but decided NOT to install the highly controversial WGA component and cancel the installation, the setup program will send information stored in your registry and the fact that you choose not to install WGA back to Microsoft's servers."

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