Comment I am Jack (Score 1) 235
I am Jack's complete lack of surprise.
Comment Cagers..... (Score 1) 754
You don't see motorcyclists with this kind of problem.
Comment More than just Amazon (Score 1) 53
Probably because I'm not over Amazon's de-listing debacle, I like to remind everyone that there other bookstores on the Internet.
Powell's
Indiebound
Barnes & Noble
Powell's
Indiebound
Barnes & Noble
Comment Targetted Ads (Score 1) 265
I can't wait for the day I walk down the street and have billboards call out my name or stores asking me how I enjoyed those pants I last bought. Seems like I've seen that kind of marketing before.
Comment Re:Choices (Score 1) 702
Exactly. Where I live, my choices are Time Warner Cable or dial-up. I can't move the house closer to the local DSL box and Sprint doesn't allow my phone to act as hotspot.
If there were more providers in my area, I could count on the free market to provide the competition necessary to forgo any FCC oversight. Until such time, I welcome the regulation.
If there were more providers in my area, I could count on the free market to provide the competition necessary to forgo any FCC oversight. Until such time, I welcome the regulation.
The Proton Just Got Smaller 289
inflame writes "A new paper published in Nature has said that the proton may be smaller than we previously thought. The article states 'The difference is so infinitesimal that it might defy belief that anyone, even physicists, would care. But the new measurements could mean that there is a gap in existing theories of quantum mechanics. "It's a very serious discrepancy," says Ingo Sick, a physicist at the University of Basel in Switzerland, who has tried to reconcile the finding with four decades of previous measurements. "There is really something seriously wrong someplace."' Would this indicate new physics if proven?"
Comment Well whadayah know... (Score 1) 775
'And then, when people, particularly younger people, wanted to build a start-up, and they were generally under-capitalized, the idea of buying Microsoft software was a really problematic idea for them.'
Sokath, his eyes uncovered!
Submission + - Google's New Scheme to Avoid Unlicensed Music (bnet.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Complaints about copyright infringement on YouTube keep Google busy. If you have any doubts, just look at the Viacom copyright suit. But the problems aren't just about uploaded videos, but sometimes the music accompanying the videos. A patent application shows that Google has worked on a system to automatically identify infringing music by comparing a digital signature of a soundtrack to signatures of existing music. Users who upload videos could opt to completely remove the video, swap the soundtrack for something approved, or to mute the video. Of course, there doesn't seem to be a provision if you're using existing music with permission.
Comment Looking out for the best (Score 1) 425
'An open market is really best for consumers.'
And we've all seen how well corporations care for the good of the consumer.
Submission + - Amazon Kindle Fails First College Test
theodp writes: If Amazon hoped for honest feedback when it started testing the Kindle DX on college campuses last fall, writes Amy Martinez, it certainly got its wish. Students pulled no punches telling the e-tailer what they thought of its $489 e-reader. But if Amazon also hoped the Kindle DX would become the next iPhone or iPod on campuses, it failed its first test. At the University of Virginia, as many as 80% of MBA students who participated in Amazon's pilot program said they would not recommend the Kindle DX as a classroom study aid. At Princeton and Reed, students complained they couldn't scribble notes in the margins, easily highlight passages or fully appreciate color charts and graphics. 'The pilot programs are doing their job — getting us valuable feedback,' said Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener. Martinez notes that Reed, Seton Hall and other colleges plan to test the iPad in the fall to see if it gets a passing grade.
Submission + - Demo of Laptop/Tabletop Hybrid UI (youtube.com)
TheGrapeApe writes: The ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (ACMUIST) has an interesting proof-of-concept video up demonstrating the use of cameras and laser pico-projectors to "extend" a laptop's user interface to adjacent surfaces. The video demonstrates some simple gestures like tapping and dragging being captured on the "extended" surface. While the prototype appears to be somewhat cumbersome, it's easy to see how it might be more elegantly integrated into the hardware with more R&D. The system was developed by researchers at the University of Washington.
Submission + - NSA Develops USB Storage Device Detector 1
Hugh Pickens writes: "Bob Brewin writes on NextGov that the National Security Agency has developed a software tool that detects thumb drives or other flash media connected to a network. The NSA says the tool, called the USBDetect 3.0 Computer Network Defense Tool, provides "network administrators and system security officials with an automated capability to detect the introduction of USB storage devices into their networks. This tool closes potential security vulnerabilities; a definite success story in the pursuit of the [Defense Department] and NSA protect information technology system strategic goals." The tool gathers data from the registry on Microsoft Windows machines (PDF) and reports whether storage devices, such as portable music or video players, external hard drives, flash drives, jump drives, and thumb drives have been connected to the USB port. "I have a hunch that a bunch of other agencies use the detection software," writes Brewin, "so before you stick a thumb drive into your government computer to copy a 100 slide PowerPoint brief, beware that Software Big Brother may be watching.""
Submission + - WePad Tablet PC to use Linux OS to beat iPad (yahoo.com)
cypherdtraitor writes: A German company, "Neofonie GmbH," has set out to provide an alternative to the ipad, according to Neofonie's founder, Helmut Hoffer von Ankershoffen.
The WePad will boast a linux based OS, USB ports, webcam, and wifi, as well as other features. The 16Gigabyte edition will cost 449Euro, and the 32 Gigabyte will cost 569euro. The more expensive model will hold a lightning fast 3g modem. {Specifications}
There are also hints of cheap, available software. For example, OpenOffice will be the primary office suite, and you may use "any application that pleases you" to play music and video, a clear edge over apple's limitations to DRM locked itunes.
The WePad will boast a linux based OS, USB ports, webcam, and wifi, as well as other features. The 16Gigabyte edition will cost 449Euro, and the 32 Gigabyte will cost 569euro. The more expensive model will hold a lightning fast 3g modem. {Specifications}
There are also hints of cheap, available software. For example, OpenOffice will be the primary office suite, and you may use "any application that pleases you" to play music and video, a clear edge over apple's limitations to DRM locked itunes.
Scientists Turn T-Shirts Into Body Armor 213
separsons writes "Scientists at the University of South Carolina recently transformed ordinary T-shirts into bulletproof armor. By splicing cotton with boron, the third hardest material on the planet, scientists created a shirt that was super elastic but also strong enough to deflect bullets. Xiaodong Li, lead researcher on the project, says the same tech may eventually be used to create lightweight, fuel-efficient cars and aircrafts."
Submission + - US Justice investigates IT hiring practices (wsj.com)
Zecheus writes: The Wall Street Journal (no paywall on this story) reports that the Justice Department is 'stepping up' an investigation of hiring practices of US technology firms, such as Google, Intel, IBM, and Apple. From the article: "The inquiry is focused on whether companies, particularly in the technology sector, have agreed not to recruit each others' employees in ways that violate antitrust law. Specifically, the probe is looking into whether the companies' hiring practices are costing skilled computer engineers and other workers opportunities to change jobs for higher pay or better benefits."
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The use of anthropomorphic terminology when dealing with computing systems is a symptom of professional immaturity. -- Edsger Dijkstra
