Even in research, most of the sequencing at whole genome level is outsourced to big companies (like, for example, Complete Genomics) since investing in the capabilities, machinery and computer power to sequence whole genomes is simply too big for sequencing one or a few individual genomes (you currently need to invest a few millions to get started with the sequencing of whole genomes). You can DIY sequencing of small fragments (for example, to determine whether a known genetic cause of a hereditary disease that is looming in your family is also affecting you) but it still requires quite a few skills in molecular biology and a few thousand euros/dollars of investment to get to this level.

We've been observing this decrease over the last few years at our sequencing lab too. Some people might find it fascinating, but I, as a bioinformatician, find it frightening.

We're still keeping up at maintaining and analysing our sequenced reads and genomes at work, but the amount of incoming sequencing data (currently a few terabytes of data per month) is increasing four-to-five-fold per year (compared to doubling each 18-24 months in Moore's law). Our lab had the first human genomes at the end of 2009 after waiting for almost 9 years since the world's first human genome, now we're getting a few genomes per month. We're not too far away of running out of installing sufficient processing power (following Moore's law) and no longer being able to process all of this data.

So yes, the more-than-exponential decrease in sequencing costs is cool and offers a lot of possibilities in getting to know your own genome, advances in personalized medicine, and possibilities for population-wide genome sequencing research, but there's no way we'll be able to process all of this interesting data because Moore's law is simply way too slow as compared to advances in biochemical technologies.

Nothing beats http://tweak.tk/ which provides new domain names as shortened URLs!

You're confusing going one-way and the whole trip. Go to Mars = 39 days, stay at mars = 10 days, come back to earth = 39 days, total = about 3 months.

How about getting an electric scooter? It's a proven concept. And it doesn't look as awkward.

Answering this question from the viewpoint of IT, CS or electronics in general, yes, I have the same feeling.

However, if you look at other sciences, like biology, there's an amazing evolution of technologies, methodologies and revolutionizing new insights that are going to change the world around is, possibly in more disruptive ways than computers have. If the 20th century is the century of computers, we're still strongly believing that the 21st century will see (and is seeing) a lot of revolutions in biology.

So if you feel, like me, that CS is dead and still want to go on a technological quest, try something else.

How could a second pic prove that?

Our cable company telenet already enforced everybody to go digital. It just took away some channels and said if you want them back you have to buy a digibox (about 50 euro for the simple and 250 for the extended box, well you 'rent' it and after a couple of years its yours). This evolution is expected to continue into fase 2 where every channel will be digital. Strangely enough nobody really complains about it or atleast nothing is happening to support 'poor' families. Also anothe small remark, since this box does digital->analogue it's not necessary to throw away your tv, only if you want 'better than current analogue tv quality' you need to buy a new tv-set.

I wasn't aware that was Bono's last name...