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Comment Re:Pictures versus digital photos... (Score 1) 345

by MattXBlack (#28733285) Attached to: New Developments In NPG/Wikipedia Lawsuit Threat
That is not a good comparison. Photographing a person is translating a 3D scene into a 2D image; photographing a portrait is replicating a 2D image into a 2D image as closely as possible. There are infinite number of different images that could be generated from a 3D scene. There is only 1 image that could result from faithful reproduction of another 2D image,

Comment Re:Why not just use slashdot instead? (Score 1) 297

by MattXBlack (#28706877) Attached to: New Service Converts Torrents Into PNG Images
How about turning it into a CAPTCHA? The only way to detect and decode the torrent file is to type the code that is shown in the PNG. The code could be written over a screenshot of whatever creative commons/public domain film the torrent points to, and the filename is something like charlie_chaplin_the_champion_screenshot.png? The code wouldn't even have to be that well distorted, as I'm sure most image sites don't have the same computing resources that spammer have to break these things.

Comment Re:I used to be schizophrenic (Score 1) 334

by MattXBlack (#28562619) Attached to: Secrets of Schizophrenia and Depression "Unlocked"
That sort of delusion (suicidal, blaming oneself) is more likely to be associated with a psychotic episode as part of depression or the depressed part of bipolar disorder. Schizophrenic delusions are more likely to be bizarre (think aliens) and may involve a belief that one is being controlled by others, or that one's thoughts are being broadcast or played on the tv, or that one can hear others' thoughts. That said, depression is often a comorbid factor of schizophrenia, and it is entirely possible that a schizophrenic person would think that, but the example you gave is not stereotypical.

Comment Re:So what's it gonna be? (Score 2, Informative) 257

by MattXBlack (#28516723) Attached to: Standard Cellphone Chargers For Europeans
When this came up first time round I emailed Günter Verheugen, Vice President of the European Commission and in charge of this. One of his staff replied after a few weeks (in TIF format, usefully). This is hastily retyped, so spelling mistakes are likely mine.

... You observe that phones have non-standard connectors and therefore require special cables to be connected to computers. A standardised charger requires a standard plug. I expect that this standard plug would not just be used for charging, but also for connecting to computers. The issue will therefore be addressed in parallel. ...

So it seems they are aware of the issue and 'addressing' it. I'm interpreting 'expect' in the sense of 'England expects every man to do his duty' rather than 'I expect it'll be alright'.

Comment Re:Possible to do dirt cheap one-way. Analog cheap (Score 1) 541

by MattXBlack (#28445691) Attached to: Could We Beam Broadband Internet Into Iran?

Have some sort of simple one-way streaming multi-cast protocol. (You'd only need to do multi-cast on the LAN, and depend on distributing lots of units to get wide area coverage.) You'd have to distribute a new piece of software so that RSS readers and web browsers could view the content. Opera Unite might be able to do this. Any kind of locally installable web browser would do.

Basically, Teletext?

Comment Re:It's not really homeopathic (Score 1) 452

by MattXBlack (#28371059) Attached to: FDA Says Homeopathic Cure Can Cause Loss of Smell
In the case of this cold remedy there are probably other things helping the placebo effect. Buying it in a chemist (where the medicines live); word of mouth (it really worked wonders for Maureen next door - her cold was gone in just a week and a half!); a sciencey label with precise directions on how to use it, including, I'm guessing, a little diagram with viruses being blocked.

Comment Re:And Slashdot couldn't even link to it? (Score 1) 310

by MattXBlack (#28175167) Attached to: Microsoft Bing Search Launches Early Preview
Try searching for 'windows'. These were the sponsored links I got at the top of the page:

# Windows at Everest - www.everest.co.uk Warm, secure & draught-free windows, made to measure for your home. # Anglian Windows VAT Free - www.anglianhome.co.uk/windows Pick & Mix Home Improvements Sale. Which 3 savings will you choose? # Online Window Quotes - www.windowquotes.org 70% Discounts on Fitted Windows. Get up to 3 Free Quotes Online Now!

You'd think they'd at least buy their own keywords.

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