NinjaGnu - Slashdot User

Energy Star Program Needs an Overhaul 306

Posted by kdawson on Tuesday January 20, 2009 @10:28PM from the you-will-sleep-now-and-when-you-wake dept.

Martin Hellman writes "DeviceGuru.com ran my piece raising questions about the EPA's Energy Star program. For example, an Energy Star compliant TV that claims to draw 0.1 watts in sleep mode appears to do that — but only seems to sleep about 25% of the time that it is 'off.' The other 75% of the time it draws about 20 watts, for an effective sleep power draw from the user's perspective that is 150 times what the manufacturer claims. Based on the observations described, it is also questionable how many PC's really are sleeping when their screens are blank, even if the user has turned sleep mode on. Given the billions of dollars and tons of CO2 that are at stake, this situation demands more attention."

Next G8 President Wants To "Regulate the Internet" 279

Posted by kdawson on Thursday December 04, 2008 @07:38PM from the good-luck-with-that dept.

antispam_ben writes "The President of Italy, which will have the Presidency of the G8 starting January 1, says he wants to use the future position of Italy to 'Regulate the Internet.' Italy's President Berlusconi appears to be a cantankerous character, prompting riots when Italy last had the G8 presidency in 2001. This will no doubt be a serious effort, but knowing the fundamental design of the Internet involves routing around damage, the efforts could be more amusing than threatening." Update — 12/5 at 00:04 by SS: Reader fondacio noted that Silvio Berlusconi is Italy's Prime Minister, not its President. He is Italy's G8 representative, and Italy will hold the presidency in 2009.

Northrop Grumman Markets Weaponized Laser System 246

Posted by Soulskill on Friday November 14, 2008 @09:08PM from the hoping-for-a-bulk-discount dept.

stephencrane writes "Northrop Grumman is making available for sale the FIRESTRIKE weaponized laser system. The solid-state laser unit weighs over 400lbs, sends/receives instructions and data via an RJ-45 jack and can be synchronized with additional units to emit a 100 kW beam. It looks like some piece of stereophonic amplification equipment out of the '50s. Or Fallout 3. The press release suggests that FIRESTRIKE 'will form the backbone of future laser weapon systems.'"

How To Cut In Line and Not Get Caught 256

Posted by samzenpus on Friday November 07, 2008 @03:07PM from the no-cuts dept.

ewenc writes "A psychology study of hundreds of people waiting for front-row access to U2 concerts points to the best ways to cut in line and not get caught. 'Super-fans' are most irked by queue-jumpers. People were equally peeved whether someone cut in front or behind, and cutters who jumped beside a friend were less likely to attract scorn."

Charity Refuses Donation Because of D&D Connection 216

Posted by samzenpus on Monday November 03, 2008 @05:57PM from the tainted-money dept.

An anonymous reader writes "This year's GenCon Charity Auction raised over $17,000 which they intended to donate to Gary Gygax's favorite charity, Christian Children's Fund. However, the charity refused the donation when they learned of its connection to Dungeons & Dragons." It seems to me all they would need to do is cast remove curse or dispel evil and the money would be fine to use.

Ford To Introduce Restrictive Car Keys For Parents 1224

Posted by kdawson on Tuesday October 07, 2008 @12:21AM from the no-you-cannot-borrow-my-keys dept.

thesandbender writes "Ford is set to release a management system that will restrict certain aspects of a car's performance based on which key is in the ignition. The speed is limited to 80, you can't turn off traction control, and you can't turn the stereo up to eleven. It's targeted at parents of teenagers and seems like a generally good idea, especially if you get a break on your insurance." The keys will be introduced with the 2010 Focus coupe and will quickly spread to Ford's entire lineup.

Comment How I would respond to this (Score 1) 1972

by NinjaGnu on Monday September 03, 2007 @02:47PM (#20454331) Attached to: Man Arrested for Refusing to Show Drivers License

As a disclaimer I do not live in the US, and I have never been asked to show the content of my bags when leaving a store. However, if someone in the name of 'loss prevention' wanted to see the content of ym bags upon leaving a store, then I would do 2 things. First I would explain to them that a loss is not just people shoplifting but a loss is also when people like me take my business elsewhere because of the treatment I get. Then I would provide the person in question with 2 options, he can either a) Let me leave the store without obstructing me further, and in return I might forget about this incident or b) Search my bags, but in return also provide me with a full refund for anything I bought so that I can for now and in the future take my money elsewhere. However I would require his manager to oversee the 'search' so that he cannot take anything from or put anything into my bag. If neither of the options are acceptable to them then I would do as the person in the article did, call the police. Why call the police before any bags are opened? .. because the police is a neutral 3. party, lets play with the thought that the 'loss prevention' guy is only going to keep his job if he every now and again catches someone, and its been a good month since he caught someone, well, then he might just see it fit to slip something into your bag and now it is his word against yours (a case he will likely win), so if any bags are to be checked it should be by the police, from the very start.

Slashdot Top Deals