Comment: Re:Replace the windows! (Score 4, Funny) 215
With double or triple glazing you wouldn't hear your neighbours whining so much?
Comment: Re:Why build one (Score 1) 79
It will be very hard to run two projects for the same amount of money as there will be duplicated costs in so many areas regarding the building and running of the infrastructure.
-R
Apple Planning To Build Private Restaurant 234
Posted
by
samzenpus
from the i-lunch-break dept.
from the i-lunch-break dept.
First time accepted submitter a90Tj2P7 writes "Apple is building a 21,468 square foot private restaurant in Cupertino so employees can talk shop over lunch without being overheard. Apple's director of real estate facilities, Dan Wisenhunt, stated that: 'We like to provide a level of security so that people and employees can feel comfortable talking about their business, their research and whatever project they're engineering without fear of competition sort of overhearing their conversations.'"
Comment: Re:So let me get this right... (Score 1) 140
If was living, working or travelling in a remote region with not other coverage, and you've just had a major accident, and need an air ambulance, or even just a recovery truck to get me and my car home, I'd be really happy I'd got a device like that!
-R
Comment: Re:Anyone remember Iridium? (Score 1) 140
Just look on ebay to see how well Iridium phones hold their value. There's probably a growing market for them in Australia.
Iridium even have spare satellites they can manouvre into position to replace broken ones. and with the latest phone, easy access to a 9,600bps data service by plugging your phone into a USB port, which is good enough to access your email if you use a remote text client such as Mutt, Pine, etc.Their 2,400 data connection. And their low orbit satellite constellation provides true global coverage, work on the sides of mountains, and in depressions between sand dunes, etc. Iridium to Iridium calls don't get relayed via any ground points.
Here in Australia lots remote area travelers and workers carry sat phones. They are much more useful than an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon) or Spot device or similar, for cases of major vehicle breakdown or medical emergency when in remote regions because you can make arrangements, and under those circumstances, most people don't begrudge the high price of calls. If you live in a region where there is no other telephone service, you can get a government subsidy covering 85% of the cost of the device (but not the calls)
-R
Comment: Re:The 'easy' way (Score 1) 255
In short: there's *nothing wrong with using resources at your disposal*. If your machine has lots of memory, and you can get better performance by building a large, in-memory cache, then by all means, do it! This is *not* the same as "bloat". It's selecting the right algorithm given your target execution environment.
Except that you tend to be using hardware which consumes more energy resources and precious materials for both running and manufacturing. Even with the combination of cheaper and more energy efficient hardware to offset this, this tends to simply encourage more of it to being used.
-R
+ - New Zealand joins the new dark age of the internet
Submitted
by
cute-boy
cute-boy writes "The New Zealand Internet Blackout protests against the Guilt Upon Accusation law 'Section 92A' that calls for internet disconnection based on accusations of copyright infringement without a trial and without any evidence held up to court scrutiny. This is due to come into effect on February 28th unless immediate action is taken by the National Party."
Linked In Or Out? 474
Posted
by
timothy
from the won't-you-be-my-neighbor-today dept.
from the won't-you-be-my-neighbor-today dept.
Mr_Whoopass writes "I am the IT Administrator for a regional restaurant chain, and as of late I am noticing more and more people sending me invitations to sites like LinkedIn, FaceBook, etc. Mother always taught me to be a skeptic, and, knowing more than the average Joe about how information can be used in this digital era, I am reticent to say the least about posting such personal details as my full name and where I work on the net for all to see. I have thus far managed to stay completely below the radar, and a search on Google has nothing on my real persona. However, now times are tough, and I see sales dropping in the industry I work in as it is a discretionary spending market to be sure. I wonder if I should loosen up on the paranoia a bit and start networking with some of these folks in case of the all too common layoff scenario that seems to be happening lately. What do other folks here think about this? I am specifically interested in what people who work in IT think (since I know that just about every moron who has 'Vice President' or sits on the 'Executive Team' is already on LinkedIn and has no clue about why they should be trying to protect their identity)."
Debian For Android Installer Released 160
Posted
by
timothy
from the full-plethora dept.
from the full-plethora dept.
dooberrymctavish writes "You can now download an installer and bootloader for getting Debian running on your Android (G1 at the moment) device; the whole install process will take you about 10 minutes, and leaves you with access to the full plethora of programs available in Debian and lets you continue using your phone as it was intended to be: as an Android device with all the capabilities thereof. Here's a look at it running.
Amazon 1-Click Lawyers Make USPTO Work Xmas Eve 117
Posted
by
timothy
from the hey-those-guys-are-there-by-choice dept.
from the hey-those-guys-are-there-by-choice dept.
theodp writes "In a move that would do pre-makeover Ebenezer proud, Amazon.com's 1-Click lawyers put the USPTO to work on Christmas Eve. On Dec. 24th, the USPTO acknowledged receipt of yet another round of paperwork submitted by Amazon's high-priced legal muscle, the latest salvo in Amazon's 3-year battle to fend off a patent reexamination triggered by the do-it-yourself legal effort of actor Peter Calveley. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' 1-Click patent is also under attack on another front — on Dec. 23rd, the USPTO received $810 from Amazon's attorneys together with a request that the agency invalidate Patent Examiner Mark A. Fadok's final rejection of 1-Click patent claims on the grounds of obviousness. On the bright side, patent clerks — unlike Bob Cratchit — get the day after Christmas off!"
Intel On Track For 32 nm Manufacturing 139
Posted
by
samzenpus
from the wafer-thin dept.
from the wafer-thin dept.
yaksha writes "Intel said on Wednesday that it has completed the development phase of its next manufacturing process that will shrink chip circuits to 32 nanometers.
The milestone means that Intel will be able to push faster, more efficient chips starting in the fourth quarter.
In a statement, Intel said it will provide more technical details at the International Electron Devices Meeting next week in San Francisco. Bottom line: Shrinking to a 32 nanometer is one more step in its 'tick tock' strategy, which aims to create a new architecture with new manufacturing process every 12 months. Intel is obviously betting that its rapid-fire advancements will produce performance gains so jaw dropping that customers can't resist."
Comment: Re:Oh no... (Score 2, Insightful) 231
and he continues to ignore and harass them
Yep. Several weeks after I sent a letter to his Australian Labour Party Cabinet Minister's office on this subject I have yet to receive even an acknowledgment.
My own Australian Labour Party representative (also a cabinet Minister) also failed to respond.
The main opposition party's Shadow Minister of Communications, Senator Nick Minchin (Australian Senate is the Australian Federal Upper House) at least responded with an acknowledgment.
Australian democracy in action, as it really is - arrogant and self serving for those who are in power at the time.
Richard
+ - Kazaar guy in 2nd controversy in two days!->
Submitted
by
cute-boy
cute-boy writes "This article in the Sydney Morning Herald alerts us to technology entrepreneur Kevin Bermeister's role in the creation of a controversial role playing game which pits the Iranian Revolutionary Guard against Israel's elite Golani Brigade in a first-person shooter setting. The game itself is available for no cost, apparently paid for by billboard advertising within the game itself. Bermeister was only mentioned a day or so ago right here on Slashdot for his involvement in a plan to to divert 'illegal' downloaders to 'legitimate' alternatives."
Link to Original Source
Link to Original Source
+ - Oz telco want 20 pc back on new broadband monopoly->
Submitted
by
AHuxley
AHuxley writes "Telstra, the big Australian telco is seeking "investment protection" before it
will build a new A$8 billion broadband network (7.4 $US) for Australia.
As part of a public private partnership initiative, $4.7 billion would come from taxpayers (4.3 $US).
The company is waiting for a regulatory outcome that will protecting shareholder value.
The plan would see 20 megabits per second to 30 megabits per second offered.
But only for investments returns of more than 20 per cent."
Link to Original Source
will build a new A$8 billion broadband network (7.4 $US) for Australia.
As part of a public private partnership initiative, $4.7 billion would come from taxpayers (4.3 $US).
The company is waiting for a regulatory outcome that will protecting shareholder value.
The plan would see 20 megabits per second to 30 megabits per second offered.
But only for investments returns of more than 20 per cent."
Link to Original Source
Microsoft to Give Away Developer Tools to Students 555
Posted
by
samzenpus
from the first-hit's-free dept.
from the first-hit's-free dept.
beuges writes "The Associated Press is reporting that Microsoft will make full versions of their development tools available to students.
"The Redmond-based software maker said late Monday it will let students download Visual Studio Professional Edition, a software development environment; Expression Studio, which includes graphic design and Web site and hybrid Web-desktop programming tools; and XNA Game Studio 2.0, a video game development program. Gates said students will want to try Microsoft's tools because they're more powerful than the open-source combination of Linux-based operating systems, the Apache Web server, the MySQL database and the PHP scripting language used to make complex Web sites.
But Gates said giving away Microsoft software isn't intended to turn students against open source software entirely. Rather, he hopes it will just add one more tool to their belt.""