Comment Re:Pretension (Score 1) 193
So, I guess you don't work at the Department of the Redundancy Department.
Comment Re:Pretension (Score 1) 193
I find if I don't tell the older folks to enter their PIN number, they think I'm saying "pen" (since of course they are hard of hearing) which confuses their feeble old brains. If they are young enough looking though I'll tell them to just enter their PIN.
Comment Re:Clarification mayhaps? (Score 1) 382
I just went to task manager and read it off its process count.
As did I. I counted around 20, but on the bottom it said 73. So I went with the 73. I've always been suspicious about WinBlows though... The Linux Revolution will come to my computer soon enough...
NASA Warns of Potential "Huge Space Storm" In 2013 464
Low Ranked Craig writes "Senior space agency scientists believe the Earth will be hit with unprecedented levels of magnetic energy from solar flares after the Sun wakes 'from a deep slumber' sometime around 2013. In a new warning, NASA said the super storm could hit like 'a bolt of lightning' and could cause catastrophic consequences for the world's health, emergency services, and national security — unless precautions are taken. Scientists believe damage could extend to everyday items such as home computers, iPods, and sat navs. 'We know it is coming but we don't know how bad it is going to be,' said Dr. Richard Fisher, the director of NASA's Heliophysics division. 'I believe we're on the threshold of a new era in which space weather can be as influential in our daily lives as ordinary terrestrial weather.' Fisher concludes. 'We take this very seriously indeed.'"
Comment Kind of a good idea (Score 1) 31
Seriously, it is. I mean, most of us women will have to at one point in our lives, at some fancy occasion. There are so many women who don't know how to walk in them. Of course, many shoes of all types aren't made well, so part of the horror stories you hear of heels breaking is shoddy craftsmanship. Sure, you can promote flats all you want, but any straight woman (or drag queen or transvestite male...making sure to cover all my bases here) will admit that wearing high heels makes them feel sexier and more feminine...as long as we don't have to wear them for too long. They really are hellish to wear after a few hours. It's why most formal dances/wedding receptions most gals end up going barefoot.
Now I'm all for banning pointy-toed female shoes, flats or heels. Feet aren't pointy. And it's why older women nowadays have hammer toes, because they were forced to wear pointy-toed shoes in past decades. They squish your toes, and that isn't good.
This makes me think of my High School Physics class when our Teach said to keep an eye out for deep black round ruts in the floor, from ladies high heels (My school was built in the 50's). 120 lbs (or so) in that one tiny dot. Think about it, won't you? Floor ruiners they are. ...huh, I'm kind of listing pros and cons of the damn things at this point. ramblings at 2:30 in the morning when I should be asleep.
Mars May Have Been 1/3 Ocean 118
coondoggie sends in a snippet from Network World, as is his wont: "It's possible that a huge ocean covered one-third of the surface of Mars some 3.5 billion years ago, a finding likely to reignite an old argument about that amount of water on the red planet, according to a new report. The study by the University of Colorado at Boulder is the first to integrate multiple data sets of river deltas, valley networks and topography from a cadre of NASA and European Space Agency orbiting missions of Mars dating back to 2001, the researchers claim." The National Geographic coverage of the news gives some air time to those doubtful that this study will prove definitive.
Sega To Bring Dreamcast Titles to PSN, Xbox Live 158
Sega announced yesterday that it plans to bring back a number of popular Dreamcast games, updating them and releasing them for download on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi will come first, with further announcements expected after E3. "Both of the games will be based on the Dreamcast originals, but will be updated with high-definition graphics, surround sound, online leaderboards, and Achievement and Trophy support." Kotaku has a list of other titles they hope to see — what game(s) would you like Sega to bring back?
Giant Planet Nine Times the Mass of Jupiter Found 73
cremeglace writes "In the late 1990s, astronomers noticed a distinct warp in the disk of dust and gas orbiting a young star some 60 light-years from Earth. Now, using new analytical tools, researchers have discovered a giant planet lurking within the dusty haze. About nine times as massive as Jupiter and composed mainly of gas, the planet is only a few million years old, proving that such enormous planetary bodies can form rapidly."
What's amazing about this is that the images taken of the star clearly show the planet first on one side of the star, and then the other, several years later.
Japan Successfully Deploys First Solar Sail In Space 284
An anonymous reader writes "This morning the Japanese space agency, JAXA, successfully unfurled a solar sail in space for the first time. Solar sails offer the best hope for deep space exploration because they eliminate the need to carry fuel. The Japanese spacecraft IKAROS created centripetal force by spinning, allowing it to launch the 0.0003-inch-thick sail. While deployment is a challenge in a zero-gravity environment, spacecraft — unlike airplanes — don't have to contend with drag, so with each photon that hits the sail helps the spacecraft gather speed."
College Offers Course in Wearing High Heels 31
Do you want to learn how to wear high heels, but feel hopelessly lost on your own? Why not take the six-week course Sexy Heels In The City at London's South Thames College. The government-funded class costs £150 ($268) and also gives lessons on how to carry designer handbags.
America Versus the UFO Hacker 452
Rob writes "Gary McKinnon, still suffering from Asperger's syndrome, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, has one last chance to avoid extradition from the UK to the US to face charges of hacking into NASA and Pentagon computers in search of information on UFOs. Will the new UK government keep its word and help him avoid a savage punishment? The New Statesman has a survey of the history and McKinnon's prospects."
Comment No Lappy but... (Score 1) 454
I currently don't have a Lappy, but my old Lappy would last about 2 hours. That was an old Dell Latitude. My Compy suits me fine for my needs right now
BIOS Will Be Dead In Three Years 532
Stoobalou writes with news that MSI is planning a big shift towards UEFI (universal extensible firmware interface) at the end of 2010, possibly spelling the beginning of the end of the BIOS as we know it. "It's the one major part of the computer that's still reminiscent of the PC's primordial, text-based beginnings, but the familiarly clunky BIOS could soon be on its deathbed, according to MSI. The motherboard maker says it's now making a big shift towards point-and-click UEFI systems, and it's all going to kick off at the end of this year. Speaking to Thinq, a spokesperson for the company in Taiwan who wished to remain anonymous said, 'MSI will start to phase in UEFI starting from the end of this year, and we expect it will be widely adopted after three years.'"
What Gamers Have In Common With Top Athletes 201
nk497 writes "It's no surprise that professional gamers aren't quite as fit as elite athletes, but they do have something in common. According to a British academic, top-level players show similar psychological attributes as top athletes, such as the ability to manage anxiety, and have reaction times on par with fighter pilots. Dr. Micklewright said, 'When I first got asked to do [the study], my initial reaction was "don't be ridiculous, gaming is nothing like sport." But the more I thought about it, the more similarities [became clear], and I became more and more convinced that it was close in many ways to sport.' While sitting in front of a screen might not have the same physical demands as running a marathon, neither do playing snooker or darts. Still, while gamers show good reflexes, their health was worse than expected, with one 20-something professional player showing the same aerobic health as a 60-year-old smoker." This story is based on a BBC radio report which you can currently hear, although that link seems to say that it won't last.
RIAA Says LimeWire Owes $1.5 Trillion 510
An anonymous reader writes "LimeWire owes the major record labels one point five trillion dollars, at a conservative estimate. At least, that's what an RIAA lawyer says. He also wants LimeWire shut down and its assets frozen, says Ray Beckerman's Recording Industry vs The People blog."
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Wasn't there something about a PASCAL programmer knowing the value of everything and the Wirth of nothing?
