Question of the Day

Grok Headline matches for Question of the Day

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.

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.

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)

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"

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.

"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.

QUESTION

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

Re: QUESTION

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

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...

Gmail question

Gmail question 06/01/2004 05:17 PM
Do links detected in messages sent to Gmail accounts affect PageRank? Should they? Does PageRank even matter anymore?...

Question Mark #132

Question Mark #132 09/07/2004 04:23 PM
Is there a web site I can go to so that I can value my Action Fleet collection? Which, if any, of the figure-and-cup-set figures are new and which are re-packs? Is there any word on re-releasing the Count Dooku, Mace Windu, and Darth Vader with and without helmet Unleashed figures in the new artwork packaging? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question for Libertarians

Question for Libertarians 08/16/2004 12:39 AM
An interesting question raised by comments: What do self-proclaimed libertarians say about intellectual property laws?...

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!

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!

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]?

Question Marks

Question Marks 02/11/2004 03:06 PM
I know I bitched about this in ru stupid, but it seems to have become far more common in the last 6 months or so. Some people appear to have decided that it's no longer cool to end an interrogative sentence (that is, a question) with what we commonly refer to as a "question mark." Just to refresh your memory, they look like this: ? Sure, I know what you're thinking. "Why does it matter. Isn't readily obvious that someone...

To PC or Not to PC? Still the Tech
Question

To PC or Not to PC? Still the Tech
Question 01/03/2005 05:55 PM
Technology Marketing Jan 3 2005 9:05PM GMT

Question Mark #128

Question Mark #128 08/09/2004 01:03 PM
Has anyone found the collector's cup with Princess Leia at Target? I was wondering why Hasbro does not use the original 12-back image on the reverse side of the VOTC cards? Does anyone now what happened to the Endor wave? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #129

Question Mark #129 08/10/2004 03:13 AM
What came first for Hall of Fame, clear or black bases? How much will each of the basic OTC figures cost? Will all of the figures that were supposed to be released in the Hall of Fame lineup be released on OTC packaging now? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the today's edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #130

Question Mark #130 08/13/2004 02:01 AM
Is there any indication that holographic figures will replace the silver exclusive/promotional figures from now on? Are new the Clone Wars figures going to be the animated style or are they going to be regular style as well? Any word on if and when Hasbro could produce a 12” Episode II C-3PO? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

The question is - was this illegal?

The question is - was this illegal? 08/14/2004 11:54 AM
Scamming in the MMORPG Eve Online

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!

My one burning question of the day

My one burning question of the day 02/19/2004 02:08 PM
Do flowers grow on the moon? I had a dream last night about moonflowers and they were so beautiful. Silvery...

To IE or Not to IE, a Security Question

To IE or Not to IE, a Security Question 07/02/2004 02:33 PM
Internet News Jul 2 2004 5:37PM GMT

Question Mark #120

Question Mark #120 04/28/2004 07:00 PM
Are there going to be any more updates to the vintage line within the Rebelscum Photo Archives? Have you heard any info about deleted scenes on the Trilogy DVD's? Can you help get some definite facts about the Jawa Sandcrawler? 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!

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 #119

Question Mark #119 04/26/2004 01:04 PM
Why is it that the "collector's characters" figures are scaled down compared to the rest of the figures? Has anyone else mentioned finding a variation on the 12-inch Garindan? Can you list what the original release for each of the Toys 'R' Us multipack figures was? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Question Mark #127

Question Mark #127 08/07/2004 06:45 PM
Is the new model of the Falcon by Lego going to be released in retail stores or is it just going to be offered through Lego direct? Is the OTC Luke Bespin figure a "clean" version of the same figure from 2003? Do you know if the OTC figures are going to come with the stands that hold them up? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest mail bag 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!

Question Mark #123

Question Mark #123 05/20/2004 04:12 AM
Are there any plans to do any more mini LEGO sets? Do you think we'll see all 92 vintage figures ”re-released” in the OTC line? Will there be more Marmits or what? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in the latest edition of Question Mark!

Quoting Question

Quoting Question 04/20/2004 11:30 PM

Jonathan Greene asks a good question here:

To Quote or Not to Quote

I'll respond to his question at some point (not enough time in the day folks) but if you'd like to comment on the question, I think it'd be interesting to see what the rest of the blog community thinks about this question. Also, I don't technically have a copyright on this blog, and I'm guilty of copying things verbatim (case in point) from other sources when they're obviously not original works, but in your opinion, what's the right thing to do here?

Have A Question About Weather?

Have A Question About Weather? 05/18/2004 06:18 PM
NewsNet5.com,OH-1 hour ago ... her own work. Their best bet is to search for the topic at google.com and enter some key words on the subject matter. However, if ...

Useless Question Of The Day

Useless Question Of The Day 05/18/2004 10:47 PM
Why is the metal interface of iTunes on Windows so much better-looking than QuickTime Player on Windows?

Follow-up question

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

A question of privacy

A question of privacy 05/25/2004 11:41 PM
Computer Times Asia May 26 2004 4:07AM GMT

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....

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]

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?...
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Question of the Day

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