Forgot your password?
typodupeerror

Comment Re:The "Arduno" cult (Score 5, Insightful) 77

The "Arduino" is innovative in the way it's packaged and used. I'm not much of a hardware guy, but I looked into microcontrollers like six or seven years ago and was pretty much scared away. The Arduino has made entry into the world of microcontrollers very easy and lets people get really creative without a steep learning curve. Rather than just getting a microcontroller to work, you can think about what you can hook up to it and the software, which is great for software nerds like me who have little experience in hardware. Before this the most I had done was build a kit distortion pedal in high school. If you know how to write simple programs, that same level of hardware knowledge can now be used to do far more interesting and useful things.

Comment Re:Troubleshooting skills. (Score 1) 829

I thought the same thing, however this could leave a nice opening for a scene in the future when someone thinks about that and realizes that because of their impaired thinking they didn't think of it in time. Perhaps a nice drunken fit scene with lots of breaking stuff, and someone else can come in and comfort said person(probably one of the smarties).

Robotics

Submission + - Man Builds 18ft High Robotic Exoskeleton (popsci.com) 1

Hacx writes: Carlos Owens had handled all kinds of machines as an army mechanic, but he always dreamed of using those skills for one project: his own "mecha," a giant metal robot that could mirror the movements of its human pilot.
Owens, 31, began building an 18-foot-tall, one-ton prototype at his home in Wasilla, Alaska, in 2004. Working without blueprints, he first built a full-scale model out of wood. Moving on to steel, he had to devise a hydraulics system that would provide precisely the right leverage and range of movement. He settled on a complex network of cables and hydraulic cylinders that can make the mecha raise its arms, bend its knees, and even do a sit-up.

Owens is working on two more prototypes, modifying the design to make it lighter and more maneuverable. He foresees mechas having uses in the military and the construction industry but acknowledges that right now they're best suited to entertainment. The first application he has in mind: mecha-vs.-mecha battles, demolition-derby style.

www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-05/man-machine

Comment Re:Selection unfairness. (Score 1) 648

I'm not sure what it was, I've never bothered to look it up, but I remember in second grade that a new law or piece of legislation was passed that changed school dramatically. The thing I noticed the most was that the spelling tests got dramatically easier. I remember kids(as well as myself) complaining that the words we were supposed to be studying had already been gone over or were far too easy. I also remember our teacher becoming very frustrated with the district and she retired a couple years later.

At the time I was being sent to do science class with a fifth grade class and I was in love with school. After whatever legislation that was passed I could no longer attend higher classes and was stuck in my second grade class. Whatever it was instituted very detrimental changes to the curriculum, and I cared less and less about school after that.

This was circa 1994, in Douglas County, CO.

Comment Re:Craigslist *does* ban (Score 1) 258

I didn't believe you, so I double checked and it looks like you're right. You can find reloading supplies and some accessories, but no actual guns.

I realize this is a private business, but I find it odd there's such a commotion about removing their adult services section but they think nothing of disallowing gun listings. Looks like a double standard to me.

Comment Re:depends (Score 2, Informative) 1137

The situation here in Denver, Colorado is similar. The light rail system we've just recently put into place passes mostly affluent communities and downtown. Communities that were mostly middle class are now becoming upper middle and upper class communities as properties rise in value relative to surrounding areas. Proximity to a light rail station can raise your rent a couple hundred dollars.

Denver has undergone massive amounts of gentrification over the last few years so the inner city transportation systems are all benefiting those who don't really need it, namely well off families with multiple cars.

However, there is a silver lining I believe. After the first light rail line was built it didn't take long for it to be extended and other rail lines planned. As the more affluent citizens become accustomed to riding the train I believe that future ballot initiatives trying to get things like the I-70 rail system(proposed system going from Denver International Airport to most of our popular ski resorts, passing through Denver along the way) working will be easier to pass.

I do not get rail service from where I work and live to my university, so I ride the bus as much as possible. I get a public transportation pass with my campus fees so I try and use that rather than paying around $5 for parking on campus. The crappy thing is that my regular bus runs through el barrio(mexican ghetto) and there's quite the cast of characters, so I try and catch the express bus from a park and ride. The express is very limited on time however, so if I plan to stay late I drive.

Comment Re:Internet crimes, like rape? (Score 1) 502

The curriculum varies from state to state, and probably county to county as well. In my school district we were taught sex ed starting in 5th grade, then again in 7th grade and again in 9th grade. If you took health class in grades 10-12 there was also a sex ed unit in that class as well.

Abstinence was indeed encouraged, but condom use and other things were given more attention. I can see how an extremely conservative area(the south) could shape their curriculum to be based mostly on abstinence.

Coming to one area of the US and saying, "well that's how they do things in America" is a silly thing to do. While our Federal government is constantly increasing it's scope and reach, we are still a collection of states and as such things like laws, education and public opinion vary from state to state. For example, in Colorado, this 21 year old having sex with a 17 year old would be a none issue. He would have to be over 27 for there to be an issue.

Slashdot Top Deals

An adequate bootstrap is a contradiction in terms.

Working...