True dat. It was probably inevitable once they took money from investors. But still, how long until they adopt Stratasys (and Cubify) model of filament cartridges with EEPROMs to make sure they get you coming and going. I have free access to a Stratasys machine and still bought a Replicator because of the obscene maintenance and consumable costs.

For sale: lightly used Replicator 2 with extruder and build plate upgrades, 3 months old. Or trade for any other 3d printer not controlled by thieving money-grubbing parent company..

On the plus side, I know little enough about the physics that the original Portugese is no less baffling than the translation would be if it weren't slashdotted.

Spacecraft need cleaning too. Though Russian craft then to vacuum themselves...

What we REALLY need is more cowbell!

A very nice piece. Speaking of the National Guard, what was the legal basis for the Federal Government dispatching National Guard to Iraq? I thought the point was that National Guard was under command of the various state legislatures and/or governor.

I like the idea of forming state militias but I'm pretty sure the practical result would be that it would be used to curtail gun rights unless you were a member of it. Although the Texas State Militia would likely scare the crap out of most small countries, and the Massachusetts State Militia (armed entirely with Nerf Guns) might be a comedic tour de force.

Many gun control proponents read the 2nd amendment that way, and on its surface its not hard to read it that way. But the Federalist Papers (Alexander Hamilton) go into more detail about what was intended; that both "regulated militias" and individual gun ownership rights are necessary as protection from government tyranny:

It is observed that select corps may be formed, composed of the young and ardent, who may be rendered subservient to the views of arbitrary power....To oblige the great body of the yeomanry and of the other classes of the citizens to be under arms for the purpose of going through military exercises and evolutions, as often as might be necessary to acquire the degree of perfection which would entitle them to the character of a well-regulated militia, would be a real grievance to the people, and a serious public inconvenience and loss. To attempt a thing which would abridge the mass of labor and industry to so considerable an extent, would be unwise: and the experiment, if made, could not succeed, because it would not long be endured.

To try to interpret the Constitution out of context without reviewing (basically) the supporting documentation does it a disservice. Indeed the Supreme Court has often invoked the Federalist Papers as evidence of original intent of both the Framers and Ratifiers.

If nothing else "select corps may be formed, composed of the young and ardent, who may be rendered subservient to the views of arbitrary power." seems to describe the new left and the new right pretty well.

"I like to date schoolteachers. If you do something wrong, they make you do it over again." -Rodney Dangerfield

..or hang up and dial back in?

I got a nice BMW about the time I got engaged, so it came with a really hot chick in the passenger seat. After 20 years I'd love to upgrade that accessory but I'm locked in, even after changing cars multiple times. Uninstalling the current one is way too pricey, and honestly Im not sure I could figure out how to work the newer models.

Why do the best posts only show up when I have no mod points?

Ive been using the power switch to close Metro apps. Seems to be working awesome! Works best if you just leave it that way.

...which is why Google Maps latest release has offline maps. Pan to the map section you want, hit the menu button and click "Make available offline". Even works for AC's in the Rockies.