mark2004 - Slashdot User

Testing 3G Networks Across the US 108

Posted by Soulskill on Sunday July 05, 2009 @09:41AM from the can-you-hear-me-now dept.

PCWorld recently tested the 3G networks of AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint in 13 different cities across the US. They've now posted the results, which show that Sprint and Verizon are neck-and-neck for reliability, while AT&T has consistently higher upload rates. From the article: "Across more than 20 testing locations in each of the 13 cities we tested, Verizon had an average download speed of 951 kbps. Verizon demonstrated good reliability, too; the network was available at a reasonable and uninterrupted speed in 89.8 percent of our tests. Sprint's 3G network delivered a solid connection in 90.5 percent of our 13-city tests. Sprint's average download speed of 808 kbps across 13 cities wasn't flashy (at that speed, a 1MB file downloads in 10 seconds), but dependability is an important asset. The Sprint network performed especially well, both in speed and in reliability, in our test cities in the western part of the United States. The AT&T network's 13-city average download speed in our tests was 812 kbps. Its average upload speed was 660 kbps. Reliability was an issue in our experience of the AT&T system: Our testers were able to make a connection at a reasonable, uninterrupted speed in only 68 percent of their tests." What have you noticed about the various carriers in your city?

Feed Techdirt: Potter Publisher Going After Fan Fiction In China (techdirt.com)

From feed by techdirtfeed on Thursday August 02, 2007 @08:52PM

In the past we've covered various stories of how author J.K. Rowling and her publisher have been needlessly aggressive in trying to enforce copyright claims dealing with Harry Potter. Years ago, we noted that Rowling didn't seem to mind fan fiction, as long as it didn't involve "adult" themes. However, when the money starts rolling in, perhaps things change. The NY Times has an article that claims to be about copyright infringement and counterfeit Harry Potter books in China, but the details suggest it's really more about fan fiction. The article focuses almost entirely on non-authentic Harry Potter books, often written by fans, that are then sold to a Chinese market clamoring for more Harry Potter. In those cases, it's much less a copyright issue and much more of a trademark one. However, as Against Monopoly points out, this has apparently spurred greater interest in reading among kids, so of course Rowling's publishers are looking into stopping these books from being sold. You can certainly understand Rowling's worry about being wrongly associated with works that she had no part in writing... but you have to wonder if she's perhaps missing an opportunity by simply sending in the lawyers. Clearly, there's demand for these works, and it doesn't seem like the demand in any way harms the commercial possibilities for her own works. If anything, it may drive even more interest in the legitimate books. These aren't substitutes. The only reason people want these fake Harry Potter books is because they can't get enough of the real thing. So why not encourage that kind of activity to help grow even more interest in the real product?

First Armed Robots on Patrol in Iraq 661

Posted by CowboyNeal on Thursday August 02, 2007 @08:18PM from the number-johnny-five dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Robots have been roaming Iraq, since shortly after the war began. Now, for the first time — the first time in any war zone — the 'bots are carrying guns. The SWORDS robots, armed with M249 machine guns, "haven't fired their weapons yet," an Army official says. "But that'll be happening soon." The machines have actually been ready for a while, but safety concerns kept them off the battlefield. Now, the robots have kill switches, so "now we can kill the unit if it goes crazy," according to the Army. I feel safer already."

Comment Some info... (Score 1) 825

by mark2004 on Tuesday December 07, 2004 @02:58PM (#11021461) Attached to: A Strange Streak Imaged in Australia

I was privy to the first 10 pages of original discussion, so hopefully I can add some helpful insight to this mystery.

1. It is not a contrail shadow, nor any sort of shadow related to the sun. The sun is off the upper *right* of the picture, as evidenced by the clouds.
2. The original post stated that the lamp-post was inspected and showed no damage, only that the light did not work. The light had not exploded, so theories to that effect are lost causes (sorry.)
3. Upon closer inspection, the "lamp-post" actually appears to be the mast of a ship. The lamp-posts are regularly spaced and taller than the pole the streak ends on.
4. A photo-analyst (or so he claimed) mentioned that the color of the flash at the end of the streak was definitely related to the color of the light reflecting off the water. The consequences of this, however, were not explained. *shrug*

All in all, the most convincing theory I have heard is that it is a winged insect passing in front of the camera. A quick google shows the fastest it could be going is ~10 m/s, which would have it travelling a maximum of .5m (~19in) during the exposure. The only problem is that in the incorrectly-labelled after photo, there appears to be a small amount of white smoke around the base of the pole.

Cognitate on!

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