Comment Re:if you're in the intersection and it's red (Score 1) 976
Even worse than that, around here (Alabama) you can get a ticket for "running a yellow light". If you speed up to pass through an intersection when the light is yellow, you can get a ticket (I have the insurance increase and paperwork to prove it). IMHO, not right, but no one asked me when they wrote the law and the judge disagreed with me when he enforced it...
Comment This is a good start (Score 3, Insightful) 344
Nuclear, like it or not, is the intermediate solution to first world energy needs. As long as we can mitigate past mistakes (sloppy arms races) with technology such as this, nuclear will also have a promising future.
Submission + - Jump in a lake for Google. (nytimes.com)
NYCWestie writes: So, what would you be willing to do to have Google wire your town with broadband?
Submission + - Quantum film might replace CMOS (pcauthority.com.au)
An anonymous reader writes: Quantum film could replace conventional CMOS image sensors in digital cameras and are four times more sensitive than photographic film. The film, which uses embedded quantum dots instead of silver grains like photographics film, can image scenes at higher pixel resolutions. While the technology has potential for use in mobile phones, conventional digital cameras would also gain much higher resolution sensors by using quantum film material.
Submission + - Chuck Norris attacks Linux-based routers, modems (idg.com.au)
angry tapir writes: "Discovered by Czech researchers, the Chuck Norris botnet has been spreading by taking advantage of poorly configured routers and DSL modems. The malware got the Chuck Norris moniker from a programmer's Italian comment in its source code: "in nome di Chuck Norris," which means "in the name of Chuck Norris." Chuck Norris is unusual in that it infects DSL modems and routers rather than PCs. It installs itself on routers and modems by guessing default administrative passwords and taking advantage of the fact that many devices are configured to allow remote access."
Submission + - US Poisoned 10,000 to Enforce Prohibition 3
Hugh Pickens writes: "Pulitzer Prize–winning science journalist Deborah Blum has an fascinating article in Slate about the US government's little known war on prohibition in the 1920's where federal officials ordered the poisoning of industrial alcohols manufactured in the United States, products regularly stolen by bootleggers and resold as drinkable spirits, to scare people into giving up illicit drinking. Known as the "chemist's war of Prohibition," the federal poisoning program, by some estimates, killed at least 10,000 people by the time Prohibition ended in 1933. The saga began with ratification of the 18th Amendment, which banned sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the United States after high-minded crusaders and anti-alcohol organizations helped push the amendment through in 1919. When the government saw that its “noble experiment” was in danger of failing, it decided that the problem was that methyl alcohol, readily available as industrial alcohol, didn't taste nasty enough and put its chemists to work designing ever more unpalatable toxins. An official sense of higher purpose kept the poisoning program in place while lawmakers opposed to the plan were accused of being in cahoots with criminals and that bootleggers and their law-breaking alcoholic customers deserved no sympathy. As the Chicago Tribune editorialized in 1927: "Normally, no American government would engage in such business. It is only in the curious fanaticism of Prohibition that any means, however barbarous, are considered justified." As one of its most outspoken opponents, Charles Norris, the chief medical examiner of New York City during the 1920s, liked to say, it was "our national experiment in extermination.""
Comment MOD Parent Up (Score 1) 837
I would have to agree with bensode (above). I have been working IT for 20 years now and have ruined many nice silk ties on rough server cases. Switched to "cheap ties" but they still add up. We also have to remove the tie to lift servers onto the server jack and put it back on before continuing with racking - part of the safety protocol. Absolutely ridiculous but required (the ties - I am OK with safety). Always imagine how it could get worse before lamenting what you have - business casual is nice...
Comment Re:Hit'em in their wallets (Score 1) 462
When you say "Hit 'em in their wallets" You are really saying "Hit ME in MY wallet". The power industry is regulated. Profit is also regulated. Power companies make about 12% above what it costs to produce and distribute power in most markets (depends on the Public Service Commission in your area as to the actual percentage). The NERC (North American Electric Reliability Company) Critical Infrastructure Protection standards were adopted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to partially deal with the problem. Some companies have taken the INTENT of the standards to heart and have implemented them with true security in mind. Others have done everything they can to circumvent the standards. NERC is starting their initial audits right now to see how well individual companies have done. Stay tuned to www.nerc.com to see how your power company fared in the audit...
Comment Here is an idea (Score 1) 432
Get the FCC/DOT to take a poll of people on the interstate. Maybe flash questions on constructions signs, then poll folks via text message...
I see great potential here!
Comment Re:Been using it... (Score 5, Funny) 164
One of my voice mail transcripts:
"Hey it's Blake, Hey just called. He will not be in tomorrow. He is sick and he said he tried to get a hold of Robin Hood, so I'll be in all of you so bye. "
Should read
"Hey it's Jake, Sandy just called. She will not be in tomorrow. She is sick and she said she tried to get a hold of John. Please give me a call when you get this. Bye."
Actually, now that I think about it - Robin Hood could have helped us...
"Hey it's Blake, Hey just called. He will not be in tomorrow. He is sick and he said he tried to get a hold of Robin Hood, so I'll be in all of you so bye. "
Should read
"Hey it's Jake, Sandy just called. She will not be in tomorrow. She is sick and she said she tried to get a hold of John. Please give me a call when you get this. Bye."
Actually, now that I think about it - Robin Hood could have helped us...
Comment Been using it... (Score 0, Offtopic) 164
and I am not thrilled with it. I picked a number that is frequently misdialed (admittedly - my mistake) and they want $10 to change numbers. I am using the do not disturb feature to send most calls to VM. The translation software is about 80% correct on guessing what my messages actually say. The other 20% are often more fun to read due to the humor of the translation. They have a way to go before this will be a reliable "ready for prime time" service.
Comment Sounds like Wall Street... (Score 1) 250
Sounds like wall street could use a few hundred cases of Windex. Straighten out them bankers once and fer all... On second thought, Washington DC, all state capitals and local governments need a few cases as well. This is what happens when Aunt Bea isn't around to clean the courthouse / jail daily.
Comment Re:Perfect... (Score 1) 691
Good point, but let's take this to the logical extreme. Imagine what this could mean for /. I make a post, get modded down by so many people that nature decides it is an abomination and sends a few electrons back in time to prevent the post from posting in the first place. ./ content should theoretically get better over time but only if the Trolls troll their hardest.
I guess I am ready to do my part...
I guess I am ready to do my part...
Comment Umm... (Score 5, Insightful) 94
There is sort of a "duh" quality to the research here. Your brain is a "use it or lose it" type of organ. The more you use your brain and the more you use it in different ways, the better it gets at operating optimally. Games and education can be a good fit if the designers of educational games can manage to make something fun - not just a computerized version of a classroom. Use the media in a way in which it is already successful.
Maybe combine Grand Theft Auto and education by making the player add up fines or the value of the drugs he just stole...
