* Posts by Herby

3058 publicly visible posts • joined 14 Dec 2007

Poll: Climate change now more divisive than abortion, gun control

Herby

Is Al Gore a "scientist"?

I didn't think so either!

Apple wheels out sueball cannon, again

Herby

Full employment

For Lawyers.

Enough said.

Bing's the thing in Microsoft's push for cheap Windows devices

Herby

Probably locked!

You only have one choice. Bing (Bong?) or nothing at all. Now how can I repurpose the device to have some other operating system, and a proper search engine.

The Internet of Things helps insurance firms reward, punish

Herby

Can one hire out "fitbit" people.

Makes sense. For a "small fee" they will put the device on THEIR arm and be a nice healthy person. Then you take it back from them after the proper interval to get it read-out. What a healthy lifestyle you lead.

Of course, you might be able to put it on your dog as well, and after a day inthe park have all sorts of "healthy" data to report in.

There are ways around everything. Look how spammers pay $$$ for kits that will make their lives "easier". When there is a will, there is a way.

Now then, how do I make a "fitbit" simulator. Dial in the 'health" of the patient (0-100).

Expulsion from Garden of Steven: Apple staffers tossed out of Fruit Loop

Herby

Maybe executives want...

...to be on the "top floor" and survey their dominion. Loopville and spaceship don't have altitude. Loopville is only two floors (ground, 2nd floor, US conventions). I don't know where Tim Cook will park himself.

Now where are those charge stations??

Redmond slow to fix IE 8 zero day, says 'harden up' while U wait

Herby

Problem here...

Microsoft in its infinite wisdom decided LONG ago to do the embrace-extend model where they locked people into their products. Now that they have done "updates" and have better products, this comes back as users that can't upgrade since they are locked into the products that Microsoft designed to be locked into.

Users that took the bait (locking into a Microsoft product) and now find they are unable to change have no one to blame but themselves (and the Microsoft marketing droids).

What comes around, goes around.

Boeing CEO says no more 'moonshots' after 787 Dreamliner ordeal

Herby

Boeing is not too bad at moonshots...

Their first (or second) was the B29. The project was started after WW2 started, and they finished up with a plane only a couple of years later. In the day, the MOST expensive war time project (even more than the A-Bomb!). In 1940's money it was $3 billion. That today is much more than the cost of the 787. Of course, they didn't finance it themselves they has a nice partner willing to foot the bill. Still a massive undertaking.

Goes to show, when sufficiently motivated, lots of things are possible.

I don't know if the B17 counts as a "moonshot" or not. Some will debate this too.

Google: The Internet of Things to become the Internet of ADVERTS ON YOUR THERMOSTAT

Herby

How much?

Will it cost (eventually) to be Google (Ad) Free? Can it be done in a lump sum, or do I need to pay a monthly fee?

Google might try to market this idea. It could be a $$$ maker, you never know.

Remember if you don't know what the product is, YOU are the product!

JJ Abrams and Star Wars: I've got a bad feeling about this

Herby

Interesting choice of initials?

You have J.J. Abrams.

You have Jar Jar (J.J.) Binks.

Coincidence? Only God really knows.

We wait for the release, and see what happens. Time will tell!

Microsoft walks into a bar. China screams: 'Eww is that Windows 8? GET OUT OF HERE'

Herby

Touchscreen on a Desktop?

Sorry, it just doesn't make sense. The places that use "touch" are much different than those that might use other pointing methods (Mouse). Most of the "touch" interfaces are one handed (the other hand usually supports the device you are "touching"). The desktop model, is a two handed one with nice widely spaced keys (and lots of them) and enough real estate to allow a mouse to be active. These are two VERY DIFFERENT environments, and Microsoft doesn't understand this, forcing a common solution on all of us. It is like having a steering wheel on a motorcycle. Sure it might work, but it just doesn't work out too well.

Microsoft needs to get a clue and understand the difference between one- and two- handed computing.

Herby

Re: I installed Windows 8.1 on a Mac Mini under UEFI mode.

And there you have it. The best machine for Windows ..is.....A Mac!

Go figure. Of course, why would someone ruin an interior of a Mac Mini with the gaudy Windows-8 design is beyond me. Some people's tastes!

Jupiter's Great Red Spot becoming mere pimple

Herby

If my dog barks at it long enough...

...it will shrink out of existence. Look it worked for his food many years ago. Unfortunately, he has long since passed away, but I'm sure he is still barking at his food somewhere.

Why not, it is as good an explanation as any.

iPhone-stroker-turned-fandroid sues Apple over iMessage text-slurpery

Herby

$5M figure...

Well, given that lawyers need to 1) Make a good name for themselves, and 2) Make money, the $5M figure is easy to explain.

Yes, $4,999,000 for the lawyer (expenses, you know!), and $1000 for the plaintiff (do I have to give them anything?). Oh, and $5M just to get some attention (more than likely).

I'm sure others will chime in here to further distribute the "spoils of war".

Chip and SKIM: How dodgy crypto can leave shoppers open to fraud

Herby

And you thought...

Chip & PIN was better! Looks like it is only better for the banks which don't want you to dispute the transaction.

Sure the mag stripe and real-time feedback of authorization is not the "best", but when an industry says "fraud proof" we should ALL take a second look. Nothing is "fraud proof', but some things are better than others.

I'm not sure that C&P is any better (or worse) than Mag Stripes and real-time authorization. Oh, well....

Cloud computing is FAIL and here’s why

Herby

Everything old is new again...

So, we go back to the "terminal" that sits on your desk, and connects to "central". Jeez, we did this back in the 60's. Then came minicomputers, then microcomputers, then the PeeCee, all in an effort to get the compute engine closer to the user where they can blow it up themselves. If the local compute engine blows up, just shift to the one you have next door.

Fast forward to today, and we go back to the "as a service" people and the non -local control of things. Then you get single points of failure (authentication scheme). Not too good.

In the end, I want to own my own home, not rent it forever. I may want to "improve" it as well to suit my needs. Good luck with that on a rental!

So, Cloud == Stupid, which gives stupid a bad image!

Urinating teen polluted 57 Olympic-sized swimming pools - cops

Herby

Urine in drinking water?

Looks like nobody has ventured forth to the International Space Station. They REGULARLY recycle urine into potable water. Sure it is probably a better process than the city of Portland uses, but it can be done.

As for people relieving themselves in bodies of water, I refer everyone to what General George Patton did as he crossed the Rhine into Germany in WW2. I understand this is well documented. Oh, and the German people didn't complain either (not that it would have done any good!).

Herby

Re: Some one else needs to be charged ...

Ice in Bourbon that smells bad? There is one word: "neat"!

James Bond producers sign on for Edward Snowden movie

Herby

This just in...

Maybe Bond fetches and neutralizes Snowden. The guy from the Guardian gets shot (it happened in another movie!).

Interesting plot?

Maybe we could gather ideas and subplots here to forward to ION productions (or maybe they aready doing that?).

Latest IE flaw being actively exploited

Herby
Coat

Re: don't get the shakes

Dropping card decks? That is why you have (don't you?) sequence numbers in col 73-80!!

Now where is the 083 sorter?

Charity: Ta for the free Win 8.1, Microsoft – we'll use it to install Win 7

Herby

So...

How can I become a "charity"? I have more outgo then ingo. Does this mean I am a public service?

When BSA comes around asking just say "I'm a charity".

As the saying goes: "We're a non-profit. We really didn't want to be, but that's how it ended up!".

I'll leave the OS grumblers to their own devices and argue among themselves.

Teardowns confirm $1,500 Google Glass hardware is DIRT CHEAP

Herby

Yes, but...

Will the silly fixture work for those with presbyopia who need those $20 (for three) pair of glasses to see anything up close and personal.

Of course this silliness reminds me of the glasses (usually made from paper) that had mirrors on the side so you could see behind you.

Boffins teach robo-arm to catch flying beer bottle

Herby

Maybe it will soon...

Catch a nice 90 MPH curveball, thrown by a major league pitcher. That would be an interesting feat. I'd start out small, and use a tennis ball, which can in fact curve (personal experience). It is quite amazing to watch. Surprised even me!

Of course, a nice knuckleball would be an even better test.

Malarial vaccine firm seeks crowdfunding for robo-saliva surgeon

Herby
Joke

But what would PETA say...

Killing all those mosquitoes. Shouldn't they be preserved as they are animals. We just can't kill them needlessly! Can we first put them to sleep?

What do you mean they are pests? Surely no animal is a pest in the eyes of God!

P.S. Note Icon!

GM reveals how much you'll pay to turn your car into a rolling 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot

Herby

What is really needed for long trips...

The old solution: "Don't make me go back there!" doesn't work too well, the other solution "You can get out and walk." is a little bit better (I've been on both sides of this!). Ultimately, the best solution is to "dope up" the screaming urchins and get them to sleep. Starting out at some sleepy hour (before the sun rises) usually functions well.

Unfortunately, this doesn't work for adult passengers (wife) who complain about your attempts to get to the destination at a reasonable time. They really don't want to watch the scenery but do desire to complain (usually after looking up from the iPhone) that you are "doing it wrong". This "looking up" is usually followed by inhaling great amounts of air followed by a (very) loud remark. I leave it to the reader to fill in the gaps.

Yes, here in the USA, we do take long drives (12 hours, which included stops), but they are unusual.

Now where is the sleeping gas?

p.s. If the data costs THAT much, it will be cheaper to buy the DVD and use a player.

Twitter muffles loudmouth users with mute option

Herby

Remotre controls usage.

Note that the most used button on a TV remote control is the "mute" button. Form follows function.

Now if my wife had a mute button (or at least one that says "agree, don't argue further"). :-)

I love her anyway.

Microsoft TechEd 2014 keynote, Q&A liveblog: What went down in TX

Herby

Unlimited compute power?

So, I can implement a Turing machine, and now worry about inefficiencies? Of course, this begs the question? Does Windows need unlimited compute power?

Scientists warn of FOUR-FOOT sea level rise from GLACIER melt

Herby

So I should...

Carry waders (Wellies?) when I visit Venice later this year?

Oh, never mind. Venice ALWAYS floods in the winter time. Tides and all that. It was built over water!

Note to self: Look at glass of water with ice in it. Watch the level of the water rise/fall as the ice melts.

Boffinry breakthrough: First self-replicating life with 'alien' DNA

Herby
Coat

I seem to get a chucle from...

guanine (G)

Sounds like Guano. Of course it may just be, who knows. Who names these things??

Me? I'm outta here!

Amazon granted patent for taking photos against a white background – seriously

Herby

Prior art??

Must have skipped USPTO's mind, empty as it is!

Next thing you know someone will get a patent on bipedal movement at a slow pace. Another one might be fertilization of human eggs by (well, you get the picture...).

The ULTIMATE space geek accessory: Apollo 15's joystick up for sale

Herby

Now we need to build the adaptor...

Nintendo, here we come. Plug that baby into my Wii and let 'er rip. But, please DON'T modify the original, use the connections provided.

Might take a bit of looking inside to see how it is wired up.

Report: Climate change has already hit USA - and time is RUNNING OUT

Herby

OK, predict next year!

Give these guys a chance to predict the next year given the data so far. I have doubts that they will be even close (what is the statistical error?).

The current weatherperson can't predict any more than 5 days out with ANY accuracy, and the main reason our weather prediction is better than 50 years ago is due to weather satellites anyway.

Human involvement? I don't think so.

Norwegians trial Oculus Rift in tanks: The ultimate battlefield simulator

Herby

Amazing...

What you can buy at the local store (or mail order) these days. It's like you could equip your local army with a few bucks.

Unfortunately, the think of those in "high places" is that cheap != good, so we all end up paying for expensive solutions to cheap problems.

Oh, well.....

Cold War spy aircraft CRASHED Los Angeles' air traffic control

Herby

Re: What kind of idiot programmers did they hire?

You mean like a "1202" Alarm?

Great reference!

Symantec: Antivirus is 'DEAD' – no longer 'a moneymaker'

Herby

Good solution??

NoScript. Thoughtfully installed. Need I say more?

Obama: I'm the CTRL-ALT-DEL President

Herby

Re: Ctrl-alt-del

And remember Bill Gates himself called it the worst idea he had. Unfortunately this president follows the precedent.

I could say more but that would be too political, and much like my wife yelling at the TV (doing little good).

Bill Gates: Sell off Bing? Nah. Xbox? Maybe...

Herby

Ready market...

Why not sell bing-bong to Yahoo! which already uses it anyway. Somebody might even make money.

Yosemite National Park bans drones

Herby

You don't need drones to know the ski conditions at Badger Pass

You just call up the ranger station.

If you want to take a (wonderful) picture, feel free to take the lift up the mountain, and use the camera hanging around your neck.

Of course, the High Sierra camps and the trails connecting them are WONDERFUL scenery. Enjoy the hike and the views. Away from "civilization". Of course, my mom (who went with us on the outing over 50 years ago) defined "roughing it" as a trail that had showers at the end of it (and nice hot food).

Mozilla asks FCC to unleash the nuclear option on net neutrality

Herby

Re: "...petitions the FCC to..."

How is the Internet classified now? A floating brothel?

Pretty much. Yous pays your money, and yous take your chances.

Super-heavy element 117 DOES exist – albeit briefly. Got any berkelium handy?

Herby
Joke

Of course you could go to an automotive theme,,,

And call it Stigium.

In any event, I like Vulturanium. It does have a good ring to it.

Script fools n00b hackers into hacking themselves

Herby

Born every minute...

As in "all day" (sucker!).

Larry Ellison looks out from his island paradise and thinks: I wanna buy the LA Clippers

Herby

So, when the Clippers play the Trailblazers (Portland)...

It will be a classic Oracle vs. Microsoft battle?

THIS ought to be interesting.

Microsoft: You know we said NO MORE XP PATCHES? Well ...

Herby

Windows XP ...

The gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving some more.

Funny how that happens when you don't have new products (that are worth anything) for 10 years.

God forbid if vehicles were like operating systems. We would be in a bunch of hurt (money wise). Me? I still have to get a 2009 recall done on my 2002 vehicle.

Anonymous develops secure data over ham radio scheme

Herby

Good luck

Enough said. It just isn't going to work.

10 PRINT "Happy 50th Birthday, BASIC" : GOTO 10

Herby

You really haven't done Basic...

...until you were FORCED to use the LET statement. The 'original' Dartmouth Basic required the use of the LET statement, and if you had ANY upbringing in other languages, Fortran for instance, you always forgot to put it in. Bummer.

The original basic described in the blue pamphlet (I actually got to see one!) didn't have matrix operators. Those were added in later. It was quite nice while it lasted, and when the various microprocessor versions came out, you could usually do the small problems that you whipped up in the half hour preceding. That is what the language was designed for.

Of course, the promoters ALWAYS included a couple of games (Blackjack was a personal favorite) to keep you busy and entertained. The biggest feature was the interactiveness. On an ASR33 teletype, you got immediate feedback if your program had problems, or needed editing. At 10 characters/second, you did a lot of checking before you typed "run".

Heady days. Of course the caveat applies here: "If you remember the 60's you weren't really there".

6TB - big? Pah! Seagate plans to put out 8TB and 10TB MONSTERS

Herby

Net cost of saving data...

...seems to approach zero as the density goes up up up. Maybe that is why there are services that offer "free" storage for such things as email.

The problem is (and will always be) how to index the data. Otherwise it is just a pile of #$%@.

The retail price of 1TB of data is <$100, and it wasn't too long ago when 1TB was a pipe dream that occupied acres of space. I can go back 45 years, and I don't want to think about the changes (they have been pretty dramatic!).

So, what is a TB between friends!

Microsoft forms 'Special Projects' black ops team

Herby
Joke

Microsoft Research?

Who knew?

Of course, maybe this isn't a joke.

Microsoft puffs up OneDrive, now with 1TB per head for biz users

Herby

$5/month/user

In a year that is $60. With the current disk prices, you can get easily 1TB of disk, and keep it forever. If you spend a bit more (but not much) you can get a nice retail box that you can connect externally to your nice lappy, or desky, put in your pocket to have and to hold.

So: Why bother?

Minecraft players can now download Denmark – all of it – in 1:1 scale

Herby
Joke

So, one can...

Scrape Tivoli Gardens, and rebuild it as Disneyland Denmark?

Interesting thought. Just remember the stone entrances to the Carlsberg Brewery and the symbols they have. Probably want to use the forbidden TNT there, but keep the brewery!

Microsoft: The MORE Surfaces it sells, the MORE money it loses

Herby

Lose a little on each one...

...and make it up in volume.

In a previous life I actually had a sales droid agree that it was a sound business plan. Someone at Microsoft seems to agree.

That being said, where is the "killer app" that is being sole for enormous profit from the Microsoft store? Which everyone will add Microsoft has a store? Who knew.

Asteroids as powerful as NUCLEAR BOMBS strike Earth TWICE YEARLY

Herby

Break out the game....

...of asteroids. It was a nice game that used stroke (x-y) generation for the images, not raster generated images. The effects were pretty nice.

From a galaxy far far away and a long time ago.

At least you didn't shoot down living objects (life forms). Pretty harmless.