To PC or Not to PC? Still the Tech Question

Grok Headline matches for To PC or Not to PC? Still the Tech Question

Tech question about results of Google
image search for "Abu Ghraib"

Tech question about results of Google
image search for "Abu Ghraib" 05/26/2004 10:20 AM
Boingboing reader Greg asks,

I find it interesting to note that Google image search doesn't have any of the pics of the Abu Ghraib abuse that are floating everywhere else on the net. A search for "Abu Ghraib" does bring up photos, but none of the ones that we all saw on CNN and in the Wall Street Journal. I had searched there not long after the story broke and found none of them, but I figured it was just too new. Now, after weeks of spidering time, they still aren't there. Anyone have an idea why?

Link

Singapore shares end up, tech stocks
higher on hopes of high-tech recovery

Singapore shares end up, tech stocks
higher on hopes of high-tech recovery 12/26/2003 09:00 AM
Channel NewsAsia Dec 26 2003 7:42AM ET

Tech Undertaker: Business troubleshooter
takes aim at high-tech woes

Tech Undertaker: Business troubleshooter
takes aim at high-tech woes 01/04/2004 03:31 PM
San Francisco Chronicle Jan 4 2004 2:10PM ET

Still the Question: What Did You Do in
the War?

Still the Question: What Did You Do in
the War? 02/14/2004 02:49 PM
The old question - what did you do in your generation's war? - is back, in a new and perhaps more unforgiving context.

The question

The question 01/26/2004 07:41 PM
I’m thinking ahead to the general election.

Both parties will try to set the agenda, of course. (They’re supposed to do that.) The Republicans will talk about three things, I think:

1. Which candidate will continue to take the war on terror to where the terrorists live?

2. Which candidate will keep the IRS from grabbing all your hard-earned money?

3. Which candidate will prevent homosexuals from destroying marriage as we know it?

That’s three things, national security, economy, and values.

Lots of people have suggested that this general election will be about one of the first two, national security or the economy.

But I have a feeling that it may be about values. It will be about civil unions.



I’m remembering Dukakis. During a debate he was asked about his stand on the death penalty—but he was asked in a very personal way. He was asked what he would do were his wife murdered.

His answer should have reflected some emotion that people could relate to. Instead he gave a dry, dispassionate answer about why he’s against the death penalty. It made him seem not exactly human, and it played right into the stereotype of clinical liberals from the northeast.

I imagine Bush or a moderator asking a similar question of the Democratic nominee, but this time it’s “What would you do if your son married another man?”

How could you possibly answer this question? You support civil unions. But this is about you and your family, and people want an answer they can relate to.

It’s not as black-and-white as the question Dukakis answered. You can’t express elation or disgust, anger or joy, but you have to express something.

Looking months into the future, I can imagine where in a close election the whole thing may turn on the answer to this question.

Re: QUESTION

Re: QUESTION 07/27/2004 04:35 PM
Viktor Larionov (Jul 16 2004)

"To Do or to Have? That is the
Question"

"To Do or to Have? That is the
Question" 02/18/2004 01:15 AM

A recent posting on the subject of Panamanian married couples who drive older cars but hire live-in nannies to help with their children sparked quite a few comments.  Alex Chernavsky sent in th is newspaper story about research done by social psychologists, the conclusion of which was that if you're going to spend money you should buy an experience, e.g., dinner out with friends or a vacation trip, rather than a new car.  The full paper is an interesting read as well.

To C or not to C, that is the question

To C or not to C, that is the question 03/11/2003 01:22 AM
Well, i was wrong about the PHP manual being helpful in writing extensions. The manual is totally inadequate when you are looking for help on how to code PHP objects in C. Worse, most PHP extensions don't use classes, so there's little sample code to go over, so you have to be good at guessing. Lastly it appears that you don't actually write extensions in C. You write preprocessor scripts in a funny macro language that is not properly documented. Then pray that the C compiler will compile it. Anyway, i've got bits of ADOdb working as a PHP extension. You can do this now: $rs = $db->Execute($sql); while (!$rs->EOF) { print_r($rs->fields); adodb_movenext($rs); # this is 100% C code! } $rs = $db->Execute($sql); $array2d = adodb_getall($rs); # more vitamin C Well the interesting question to ask is: what's the speedup. Not much actually. The overhead of the PHP classes in ADOdb (compared to native mysql calls) is about 25-30%. Converting to C reduces the overhead to about 15%. It is possible to convert more of the PHP code to C, but the loss in flexibility is probably not worth it. I haven't done benchmarking at this low level for a long time, and I can see some subtle affects that i have never realized. Firstly, defined('CONSTANT') seems to be at least 100 times slower than isset($GLOBALVAR). I found this out when using constants to detect whether php_adodb.dll was loaded. Memory allocation is relatively expensive in PHP. It seems adodb_getall(), which gets all records, runs slower than calling adodb_movenext() repeatedly from PHP code. This is probably because adodb_getall() uses tons of memory as it generates the recordset, while adodb_movenext() just gets one row at a time. A bit like the tortoise and the hare. Slow and steady wins the race. Unfortunately it appears that I cannot make use of this extension 100% transparent to the user. I thought of embedding adodb_movenext() in the MoveNext() function, and automatically switching between PHP and C code based on the extensions loaded. It turns out that the autodetection code causes the newly boosted MoveNext() to run slower than the plain old PHP version. Caveat emptor! Lastly, Jason responds with a link on developing PHP extensions on Unix. Very impressive, but it makes my brain hurt nearly as much as zval and (Shakespeare would have loved this) zval_ptr_dtor... "zeldman.newsy"

Question of the Day

Question of the Day 04/09/2004 04:10 PM
Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it? Do I do it? Do I not do it?...

QUESTION

QUESTION 07/26/2004 04:08 PM
Alex Mega (Jul 26 2004)

Mac Or PC? That Is The Question...

Mac Or PC? That Is The Question... 07/03/2004 10:01 AM
Windows can be OK, with work, and is sometimes required by corporate or school rules, but don't write off Linux or Mac until you've seen what they can save and do. By Phillip Robinson, Knight Ridder (via MyAppleMenu)

Who are you, that is the question.

Who are you, that is the question. 03/08/2004 11:09 PM
This could be tremendously interesting: ShareID and Zopto. ShareID is a single sign-on and authentication system built around FOAF and the Atom API, while Zopto is the companion Social Networking system, again built around FOAF. All come from the dastardly...

The 64-Bit Question

The 64-Bit Question 06/03/2004 12:07 PM
When it comes to technology, people seem to love numbers, and bigger is always better. That explains part of the reason why AMD has been doing quite well lately with their 64-bit chip. However, Simson Garfinkel explains all of the details about 64-bit (and 32-bit) computing to explain why, unless you're doing some massive data mining or working on specific scientific applications, the only people 64-bit computing (by itself) is really helping out are the marketers who tell you need to buy a 64-bit computer. While there are performance benefits to 64-bit chips, for the most part, the benefits are because the chip is newer and made with better, more modern technology - and don't have anything to do with its 64-bitness.

High Tech: Data storageMall Tech:
Keyring storage

High Tech: Data storageMall Tech:
Keyring storage 12/22/2003 02:02 AM
Boston Globe Dec 22 2003 1:01AM ET

High Tech: Fiber opticsMall Tech: Tree
decoration

High Tech: Fiber opticsMall Tech: Tree
decoration 12/22/2003 03:15 AM
Boston Globe Dec 22 2003 2:35AM ET

Give a book, a low-tech gift in a
high-tech world

Give a book, a low-tech gift in a
high-tech world 12/03/2003 07:32 AM
SiliconValley.com Dec 3 2003 6:54AM ET

High Tech: RoboticsMall Tech: Boxing
robots

High Tech: RoboticsMall Tech: Boxing
robots 12/22/2003 02:02 AM
Boston Globe Dec 22 2003 1:01AM ET

High-tech weapons defeated by low-tech
warfare

High-tech weapons defeated by low-tech
warfare 06/05/2004 07:47 PM
Straits Times Jun 5 2004 11:20PM GMT

""Answer The Question! (mp3)""

""Answer The Question! (mp3)"" 03/19/2003 10:44 PM

The German Question

The German Question 05/02/2004 11:18 AM
It may be good news that Germany is reasserting itself in world affairs. But is it bad new for American diplomacy?

Follow-up question

Follow-up question 04/14/2004 05:20 PM

Best Question Of The Year

Best Question Of The Year 08/03/2004 08:46 AM
... as asked to an Apple sales guy: Hi, I'd just like to find out... if I buy the 17" Powerbook, can I install Windows XP Pro in it?
Runner-up? Is Photoshop bundled inside [the iPod]?

Bit Torrent question

Bit Torrent question 04/09/2004 10:30 PM
Bit Torrent and the ability to download everything in one click (is this the end of Direct TV, Tivo and the music business?!).

Used BitTorrent a little bit when it first came out and was a bit underwhelmed. It didn’t work, there weren’t a lot of places to find files, etc.

I decided to take another look at it when a designer friend of mine was telling me that he has the latest version of every single piece of design software on his Mac compliments of bit torrent (yes, I know it’s wrong… not the point I’m trying to make, the point is coming :-).

Part I: I installed bit torrent and immediately noticed an amazing new trend (prob. not new to all of you) of people posting dozens of albums in one RAR file for download. Huge file sizes in the 500 to 4,000 meg size range. The last season of seven seasons of Southpark, every Nirvanna album and here is another file with every Howard Stern radio show from March in one file.

In one click you grab one really well organized, clean and deep sets of files—scary.

Part II: A couple of month ago I got the Gateway Connected DVD player. For $195 it connects via WiFi to my desktop and I can hit the My Music or My Videos button on the remote control and pull up those directories on my hard drive (in the other room).

Part III: Today I moved into my new apartment in Santa Monica and was faced with the standard $100 month cable/dish bill and I’m thinking “dang, I only watch less then a half dozen TV shows and they are all here on bit torrent… maybe I should save the $1,200 a year and just download the shows and watch them via my Gateway Connected DVD player?”

The Point/Question: How soon before you’ll be able-with one click-download every prime-time TV show or last year’s top 500 CDs in one click?!

(Note: This is not a trick question, I have yet to find a file containing that much content—however, I did find a file with last weeks top 100 singles that someone put together in one nice package).

[The Digital Music Weblog]

Question Time

Question Time 09/10/2004 12:19 AM
Just One Question... "How many times have you been arrested, Mr. President?"
$1002.21 Bounty to the first person to ask George W. Bush this question in a public forum. [PayPal donations accepted to increase the bounty]

Question Mark #133

Question Mark #133 09/17/2004 02:04 PM
Would Hasbro consider releasing an X-wing fighter with Wedge Antilles pilot like what was done with the Jorg Sacul figure? Did Hasbro fix the mold on the Unleashed Padmé, and is the original "eye-opening" figure worth anything if they did? Where can I find a display case for posters like the ones theaters use? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #126

Question Mark #126 08/02/2004 12:05 PM
What are the deco and other visual differences between the repacked OTC figures from their original releases? Do you think there is any chance Hasbro would use the same bendable material that was used for the "spine" of the TPM destroyer droid on the Grievous figure? I recently found the OTC Greedo and noticed that the red Imperial symbol was not in the upper left corner of the card, what gives? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #161

Question Mark #161 06/17/2005 03:30 PM
Will my OTC clean version R2-D2 fit in the ARC-170 droid slot? Do you think Hasbro will ever re-release the AT-AT? Do you have any clue if Hasbro will be releasing a Palpatine electronic lightsaber anytime soon? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #149

Question Mark #149 03/30/2005 03:28 AM
Do you know if there are any plans for any new Animated Clone Wars Figures in view of the new episodes? Did they ever release Art Portfolio’s for AOTC, and do you know if they plan on it for ROTS? Why does the Saesee Tiin figure from Revenge of the Sith have both horns when he had a broken horn during the Clone Wars? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #122

Question Mark #122 05/17/2004 02:56 PM
Do you think Hasbro will learn their lesson and create a better supply to meet the demand? Is the orange R2 unit in the Hoth 4-pack exclusive to that set or is it found anywhere else? What life-size "Star Wars" replicas have been made? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

FC Now: Question of the Week

FC Now: Question of the Week 12/22/2004 01:08 AM
Should leaders feel guilty about layoffs? Tell the Corporate Shrink what you think....

An identity question

An identity question 04/10/2004 10:08 AM
I've been trying to work through some issues about digital identity by thinking about ordinary language uses of "identity," and this morning I came up with a question: If Superman is Clark Kent's secret identity,is Clark Kent Superman's secret identity? Talk amongst yourselves....

Trying To Answer The What's Next
Question

Trying To Answer The What's Next
Question 05/07/2004 02:58 PM
CNET's News.com has been publishing their well done series of articles on offshoring this week, and have concluded with two that are worth reading. The first isn't really a part of the series, but goes well with it, explaining (again!) why protectionist plans don't work. This has been explained over and over again, and there are countless examples of how protectionist policies cause many more problems than they solve, but apparently, it needs to be reviewed once more. The second piece is much more interesting. The question that anti-offshoring people always bring up is "what other jobs are there?" They're afraid that all jobs will be offshored and then there will be nothing left (except, the example they love, flipping burgers). Of course, history has shown that's not what happens at all. The US was an agricultural economy for a long time, and we shifted and it certainly made life very difficult for a lot of people - but we innovated and created new jobs and a higher standard of living. We've done so again and again and again. So News.com is looking at what might be next. The problem, of course, is that it's difficult to predict what really is next. So often disruptive advancements seem to come from unexpected places. Researchers working on one thing serendipitously discover a completely different breakthrough that leads to an entire new industry. Of course, to put that all together though, we need to support better education and push for more research and development (which often isn't helped when companies only think in the short term thanks to Wall Street). However, to prepare for "what's next" we need to create a culture that involves constant learning and education focused on useful areas of expertise - and not so much on specific tactical expertise. Understanding how to make a horse and buggy isn't useful - but understanding the basic concepts concerning transportation is still useful no matter what mode of transportation is used. Having that base of knowledge, with constant additional training, let's someone work on buggies, automobiles, trains, planes and whatever else comes next.

Question Mark #125

Question Mark #125 07/29/2004 02:51 AM
Is it just me, or has Hasbro really dropped the ball on the Jedi Council scenes? Hasbro really seems to have taken a step in the right direction with the new VOTC collection as far as sculpts and articulation goes, but are they going to be released in more "opener" friendly packaging? I was wondering when Episode III comes out, wouldn't it be better to have two different kinds of figures? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Bike question

Bike question 06/12/2004 08:03 AM
I think I know the answer to this, but, we'll see: If bicycles are so damn good, why is it that I can walk up hills that I can't bike up?...

Question Mark #106

Question Mark #106 10/28/2003 11:09 PM
What is your opinion on people selling or auctioning off Jedi Master Points? What's the best method for detaching and correctly reattaching the legs on my Silver Anniversary R2-D2? How come no one's posted any pics of the new Jabba yet? I heard it was just a repainted Episode I Jabba glob with a repro vintage pipe/bowl! Say it ain't so, that after all the great new product Hasbro has been releasing, they're skimping out on one of the most requested figures since the line began! How could this be? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #150

Question Mark #150 04/01/2005 04:43 PM
Can I assume from the AT-TE gunner figure that Hasbro is planning to issue an AT-TE toy? Has anyone heard anything about a 12 inch Revenge of the Sith Obi-wan? I found the first wave of ROTS figures at my area Wal-Mart last week and actually got as far as the register, but they would not scan; how are others getting around this if they are not yet in the system? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #124

Question Mark #124 07/02/2004 02:34 PM
Of the six Saga Jedi Council sets that are listed on the Rebelscum site, which represent council sections from Attack of the Clones and which are from the Phantom Menace? Does Hasbro even acknowledge the poor quality of plastic that they have been using lately or do they fain ignorance? I'm still a bit confused, what's the difference between the up coming new "vintage" figures and those of the OTC line? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #121

Question Mark #121 05/06/2004 02:26 PM
How about a 12-inch Bespin Leia and a 12-inch Lobot, has Hasbro ever considered making these figures available? Is there any chance that we might see a V-19 Clonefighter toy from the animated series? Why do you think Hasbro is afraid of releasing solid cases of Stormtroopers? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Random Question

Random Question 12/19/2004 03:02 PM
Most people have a few moments in their lives that they regret. But what moment if any would you like...
Grok Description matches for To PC or Not to PC? Still the Tech Question
GrokA matches for To PC or Not to PC? Still the Tech Question

To PC or Not to PC? Still the Tech Question

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