F*****g magnets! How do they work?

Why do I care about authenticating my job to my online Rolodex service? For longer than I can remember, all I have used LinkedIn for is a semi-self-updating electronic phone book. If I call someone and don't get who I expect, I'll know right away and delete their contact. I expect they would do the same with me. I probably use it to look someone up 3 or 4 times a year, if it is a particularly busy year. I can't be bothered with (and actively avoid) the social media features.

The right name is obvious: Rovie McRoverface

... to Saturn 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Looks like someone figured out that there are some pretty big gaps in the OST. https://www.state.gov/t/isn/51...

Cell tower companies already abandon obsolete equipment on towers at the end of their lease for tower space because it is cheaper than removing the equipment. They do this regularly despite clauses in the lease that require them to remove old equipment at their cost. The companies know that relatively few landlords will sue them for the cost incurred by the landlord to have the equipment removed themselves.

If the cost of removing old wind turbines is so high, why wouldn't the operators adopt the same business model the cell companies have used successfully for decades?

In this context, you can be sure there is more. The patent laws of the US and other countries require that the application (and consequently, any issued patent) describe the invention in sufficient detail so that someone of ordinary skill in the art area to which the invention most nearly pertains can make and use the invention. You don't have to build one, but you do have to provide enough detail so that someone else could build one.

... or rather, incredibly condescending. Given my occupation (and prior occupation in law enforcement), I am a huge advocate for catching criminals. I am also a huge advocate for the rule of law and respecting rights of people under law. By saying that the Bureau is collecting information so we can have an "adult" conversation, the clear implication is that those on the other side of the conversation from the Bureau have been having conversations that are immature or child-like. The tone of those comments is like that of a parent telling a child that it is time for the child to grow up. It indicates a lack of respect for the opposing views. The Bureau isn't doing itself any favors with that kind of approach.

The Copyright Office is part of the Library of Congress and as such is part of the legislative branch of the US Government and ultimately reports to Congress. The federal agencies that most people think of and interact with, such as the Patent and Trademark Office or the Veterans Administration, are part of the executive branch which ultimately reports to the President. The PTO specifically is an office within the Department of Commerce. I suspect the inability to use is due to this separation.

Certain items are classified as "dual use" for US export control laws because they have 2 major use classifications - military and non-military. The only way to ensure that goods sold for non-military purposes are not later used for military purposes is by monitoring and controlling.

We all know how effective the US's monitor and control systems worked in Iran.

Starring Christopher Walken, of course.

Pong: Trapped Between Extremes

Did you not go to high school?

There are thousands of jet aircraft in the air above the U.S. at any given time. There are satellites taking pictures of my house, cameras on many stoplights, in every police car and on everyone's phone. Dozens of planes overfly my house daily on takeoff or landing approaches. I don't see that delivery drones erode my privacy any more.

As for the capability, I bet it could use some refining, but in our lifetimes we're going to see automated flying become more prevalent. Already pilots of modern planes going to/from large airports don't *have* to do much. They can punch a few buttons, turn a few dials and the computer can perform takeoff, level flight, maneuvering and landing all automatically, and more smoothly than most pilots. If you have a bumpy landing it's probably because the first officer wanted some practice. I figure increasingly the pilot will be there just to make the passengers feel good, and in 10-20 more years you can put a flight attendant there instead and save some money on the pilot training. I don't know how long it will take for people to knowingly and willingly ride drones, though.

Hmm, I'm losing my steam and getting distracted. Point is, stop freaking out over delivery drones. They won't be 100% everywhere all at once, and fuck yeah I'd take a pizza from one.

It's comin' right at us!