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Comment Re:In flight refuelling (Score 1) 26

It's interesting to reflect on how modern hardware would have performed.
Faster, sure. Smaller, sure. Less power, sure. But would it survive in space? Given how small the elements are, wouldn't the occasional cosmic ray destroy sufficient elements to kill the whole gadget?
I have a sneaking suspicion a modern processor would be dead within months, or possibly years - but surviving decades?

Comment Re:Compared to what (Score 4, Interesting) 123

The thing about a 32 hour week is that it enables more people to work. It allows more time for other activities, eg childcare, salsa lessons, exercise classes, caring for elderly relatives, etc. This would actually expand the economy.
It's true of course that if everyone offered this, it would not be a competitive advantage. But it would create a slightly wider pool of possible workers.
And, I must say, a race to the bottom for least hours in the workweek sounds quite appealing!

Comment Other places don’t have this (Score 1) 255

I’ve lived in several countries around the world. But there’s only one where school shooting occur on a regular basis.
In general, I’ve found, it’s good to look at examples elsewhere when you have some deep seated problem.
So, USA, may I suggest you consider taking a look at other countries. Canada is pretty close, Australia is a bit further away, but a decent example of actually doing things in response to a catastrophe.

I predict a dozen southerners (I think of the as northers, given, you know, actual geography) will yell and scream. “Second amendment” they will cry.
It was 200 years ago. A kid would not have been able to do what he did. Things have changed. The laws need to as well. After all, it’s an amendment, and can be further amended!

Comment Re:And the price increases didn't help... (Score 1) 240

I'm in Sydney, Australia. I connect to the NBN (National Broadband Network) via a retailer (iinet in case anyone cares).. I have a 50Mbps business connection, with phone and static IP - it costs AUD 80 per month with a modem thrown in. That's USD 52 per month. No data limit.
The cheapest plan is AUD 59.99 per month - that's USD 39.00 per month. 20Mbps, no data limit.

Australia is not considered a cheap country. The government does attempt to supply a "cheap" broadband service - but this is what competition gets you. USA plans seem to start at USD 40 per month (T-mobile) - though there may be some gochas I don't know about, it does say something something about a "Premium voice line discount". Pretty much the same as Australia. I gather things vary drastically between states, though.

Still, 30 dollars to 40 dollars. Not a massive difference.

Comment Re:Predictable (Score 1) 231

Sounds like Boeing did exactly the same as the banks, ie outsourcing to an external company, thus losing the decades gained experience.
Crazy.

I feel this approach - cut costs at all costs (get rid of expensive engineers) - actually destroyed HP. Remember when they made great equipment ... and now they make ok printers? I think Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard must be rolling in their graves.

Comment Re:Predictable (Score 5, Insightful) 231

We see this in many companies. I have worked in several major banks where they have efficiently outsourced software development, usually to India.
Considering the most critical part of a bank is its software, you’d think ending up with all the knowledge of said software being with people in another company, another country, and indeed, with people you never meet, this sounds foolish in the extreme.
But it does save a little money (actually surprisingly little) in the short term.
It used to be that managers, even owners, of companies knew the business they were in. They were engineers, chemists, or cobblers, perhaps. But now they know “business”. Which often seems to be about cutting costs and boosting the share price. For a while

Comment Are there savings? (Score 1) 229

The question is, are there drivers who have seen reduced premiums as they have been deemed “good” drivers?
If not, this is simply a money grab.
But if the total premiums for all drivers remains constant, with “good” drivers charged less, and “bad” drivers charged more, this could be reasonable.

I’m suspicious it’s a money grab, sadly.

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