Now that we know where it is, and a rough idea on what's wrong, I wonder if we can send something down to get Beagle operational. I know it would most likely be more efficient to send out a new probe witht he same abilities (like we have), but I like the idea of fixing something on Mars.

Where I live there are 3 choices for movies: 1: Market Square. This is a 2nd run movie theater, with tickets that cost $2.50 - $3.00 per person. I typically see films here if I missed them in the first run theaters, or if I don't think the movie isn't worth full ticket price. My standards are a lot lower when I'm only spending $3. 2: Main theaters. First run. Tickets are ~ $10 per person. Your typical modern movie hell. Lots of ads, crowds, etc. It's rare that I make it to one of these theaters. I think the last time was for a special Rifftrax showing of Godzilla. 3: Sundance. First run arthouse, with a few mainstream releases. Tickets are ~ $12, but seats are reserved, and there are no ads. Also the concession stand sells good beer. Movies actually start when advertised. If I'm going to spend the money to see a movie, this is where I go. The gist of this is if you want me to go to a movie, either make the tickets much cheaper, or make the experience much better.

The one time I had fun playing Monopoly was when we did it Iluminati style. Lots of deals going on around the table "I'll sell you this piece of land for x+ a discount on any future costs if I land on the space". That sort of thing.

Can't say for Catan (haven't played it yet), but at least for ticket to ride there are multiple scoring oppertunities at the end of the game, which I think keeps the final winner up in the air. IMO, TTR does a great job with the luck factor. You can choose to try to be lucky in drawing cards, or go the safer route by choosing face-up cards. I made the mistake of playing Talisman again after many years. That game has not aged well. Way too random, with very little strategy allowed.

I prefer games where either the randomness is minimized, or there ar emultiple ways around bad luck. Multiple ways to win is also important.

I lived long enough to see cyber limbs. Now to make them specialized for specific tasks, and have quick release mechanisms.

But the smart-ass in me has to wonder if someone in NASA has been reading too much steampunk.

I read Spider Robinson and Larry Niven. Direct stimulation of th epleasure center of the brain is a really bad idea, ok?

Dynamips is an opensource Cisco router emulator (need your own IOS image though). I used it for my test prep (CCNP, which is a level above CCNA). Won't help you with the switches, but it's a start.

"We should take the train. It's mor efficient than a car, and we don't nee dot worry about parking" "Nah" "Did I mention the lasers?" "Count me in!"

Do you need your phone or your laptop during lectures? Do they need to be on the network? Turn your phone onto airport mode, and disable the laptop's NIC. When socializing, maybe start a game/contest with your friends. First person to check their phone buys the next round of drinks.

I'd love to have the monorail extend to the airport. It wouldn't take much more track. Traffic volume on the monorail may be an issue though.

Nothing is free. I'd rather be upfront, and pay at the front end, instead of having to pay bits later, which usually costs more than the whole.

They can probably make it even more efficient by adding random props in the mix. Maybe try to capture solar energy while fighting around a ladder, or using some chickens as nunchucks. This is Jackie Chan after all....

It will be interesting to see if Apple becomes more charitable under Cook. Jobs was pretty stingy that way (very stingy in his perosnal life, but I think Apple unde rhim did do a few charitable contributions)