Posts by Steve Evans
2203 posts • joined Tuesday 17th April 2007 15:29 GMT
Page:
Time zone....
Note to the author...
When posting stuff on the intarweb with an international audience, it would be nice if times where given a timezone, not just left floating. Preferably a timezone that the whole planet can relate to such at GMT or UTC...
Not giving a time zone, or using one which is obscure or meaningful only to one nation is a tad insular.
Even worse when I'm reading this on a .co.uk website, and the times were obviously not from a time zone you would assume for a .uk domain.
/end rant.
Re: "Hmm... Another indication of which OS is preferred by The Best and the Brightest™"
Given that this was an automated landing, those Macs wouldn't have been doing anything more than consuming a datafeed and displaying it. Something which could be done of pretty much any hardware.
It's not like they're actually going to trust the piloting job to a commercial laptop, although I wouldn't have minded having a go, I used to be good at Lander back in the 80s... Although the latency might make this version a bit more challenging.
Nice one...
When I saw the Horizon program last week I gave up trying to count the number of ways this could go wrong, so well done to them for getting Curiosity onto the surface intact and the right way up!
As for a manned landing, I'd love to be a fly on the wall when they tell the boffins they need to learn to abseil! :o)
Ah-ha!
At last, the *real* reason Microsoft were making such a fuss about needing the new improved BIOS.
Posted in Nikon D4 DSLR review
Re: Incredible quality
Found a side-by-side review.
http://mansurovs.com/nikon-d4-vs-d3s-vs-d3-iso-performance-comparison
Not much to choose between the D3s and D4 in the high ISO battle. I think the reason I was a little disappointed is because the D3s was such a huge improvement over the D3.
Posted in Nikon D4 DSLR review
Re: Incredible quality
Low levels of illumination in a scene will certainly show noise more than higher levels across all ISOs. It's down to bits per pixel decreasing with each stop of underexposure. Which is why it's important to try to expose properly. To my eye there really isn't anything special about that ISO200 shot. I've just looked at a few of my raw files also shot at native ISO 200 (I do a lot of night shots) and there really is no difference noise wise - as it should be. I don't do any noise reduction on camera, I save that all for post.
The real balls of a sensor shows when the ISO gets higher, and although those ISO 3200 and 6400 shots are good, they don't look as good as the article lead me to expect. I remember the D3S's shots being more impressive.
Now I've got to go find some good side by side ones to compare!
Posted in Nikon D4 DSLR review
Re: Incredible quality
I wouldn't expect any noise at ISO 200 from either the D4 or your 5D MkII or my more modest D300 either. That's native ISO. There should be no amplification to cause the noise. If you do have noise at native ISO either someone has lied about the native ISO of the sensor, or you've got a fault.
To be honest I was looking at the 3200 and 6400 ISO shots (dark regions) and I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I'm sure I've seen far better from the D3S, then again, they might have had some PP.
HP Sauce...
As manufactured in the Netherlands.
Another great British institution sold off to Johnny Foreigner.
It can't be long before HM Queen is sold off to the Germans... (Yes, I already know she's part way there genetically already!).
Re: I for one...
Rather explains the shape of ICBMs though...
Aerodynamics my arse!
Hmmm, bad choice of words.
Tut tut...
RAID is about availability, it is *NOT* a backup solution.
/end lecture.
@ h4rm0ny - was Re: Disappointed?
I wouldn't expect A/C to explain his opinion. I seriously doubt he's ever seen one, let alone touched or used one.
Then again they probably didn't stopped him badgering Apple to let him order an iPhone5 in March.
Re: Disappointed?
I wouldn't be disappointed in a free gadget, even if it had some flaws.
From the article it looks like Jason Miller resolved his complaints by changing the firmware, in which case the hardware looks like it is fine and a change of software makes it a usable box (sorry, ball).
Then again, given Jason has the moniker "Hacker" it's not exactly a shock he'd change the firmware and mess about with it. Maybe a normal consumer customer would have been very happy with it as delivered?
Anyway, I look forward to seeing Ball 2, the sequel. The existing one didn't really grab me as a "must have" device, which is why I didn't order one, and why I'm not about to receive a free one. D'oh!
Stupid or suspicious?
It could be an incredibly stupid company (that owns no computers for safety reasons), or, as the more suspicious side of me suspects, a honey pot.
What better way to catch the hornets than to poke them with a pointy stick?
Re: For those w/o time in the military:
It doesn't need to be rifled to be a lethal weapon at closer ranges.
Re: Arresting is over the top but...
Don't worry, they'll be arresting Tom for his apostrophe abuse shortly.
Re: "sources who have proven accurate in the past"
I've just checked with a reliable source, and they have confirmed rumours that the media will print any rumour that contains the word Apple.
I would have hoped somewhere outside of the tabloids might be a little less prone to hype and rumour, but it appears not.
Can anyone recommend a true facts only tech site, or should I start writing my own meta-site?
Re: Samsung
Not surprised sales were down... Apple successfully held to two most wanted models on the docks for weeks.
I personally like page 5... The original Samsung iPhone.
This whole saga really is a bit sad and repetitive. There's really nothing new or innovative about rounding off the corners of an icon. That's nothing more than basic ergonomics as seen on scrabble tiles.
As for the phone design, there are only so many shapes which can be held in the hand, fit in the pocket and line up with ear and mouth.
Don't worry...
I'm sure they did something good with the illegally gained funds...
Is the US still funding the Contras?
<American Dad><sing>Ollllli North</sing></American Dad>
Re: Prior Art
The USPO gets paid per patent they issue. So they grant pretty much anything.
If that's the way they are going to be paid then fine, but they also have to suffer a bigger fine for every patent they issue which is subsequently thrown out of court as obvious, no invention or prior art exists.
Well rumour is the only thing feeding the annual iPhone n+1 fest, so why not allow some negative rumours along for the ride.
If Apple want positive publicity they can pay for it just like everyone else.
Re: Unprecedented? No.
This is unprecedented demand for the iPhone5. Never has a device called the iPhone5 been in such demand.
Also in the news, I'm reaching unprecedented levels of apathy. Normally I don't reach these levels until there are at least some basic specs on the new fruity product, but this time might break all records.
I can only guess the depths of abject boredom that I sink to over the coming months.
Headline: "Apple wins EU-wide Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 ban"
First line of article: "A German court sided with Apple today and agreed that Samsung's Galaxy Tab 7.7 infringes iPad design patents, granting Cupertino permission to push for a European Union-wide ban."
So which one is it?
So they haven't got a ban, just permission to attempt to obtain one. During the time between now and then there will be appeals, counter appeals etc etc.
Posted in LOHAN acquires mighty igniter arsenal
Re: Careful with all those explosives!
Good point!
I wonder how long this can continue before El Reg is classed as one of those "terrorist bomb making website" you hear about in the news.
98% assessed within 48hours?
Jeez, I thought they were supposed to be short staffed?!
To manage that kind of performance they're either not investigating properly, or they have fleets of investigators and cars waiting on standby 24/7 to "pop round" and check documents.
HDR? NOOOOOO!
OH no, it's got an HDR setting, please NOOOOO! I can't take any more.
Don't get me wrong, HDR has its place, but I prefer HDR to be pretty much unnoticeable. That's what it is for.
It isn't there so you can turn all the tone map and saturation settings up to 11 and burn all the phosphor (or whatever TFT/IPS panels have instead of that these days) off my screen!
You may have a point...
I was trying to think of the last BBC drama I enjoyed watching... Might have been Ashes to Ashes.
Now what about the last US one... Prison Break was great. I can't wait for Dexter to return. Heroes, was fun the start with, then I'm not sure what happened to it. I think the BBC moved the time slot, I missed bit, decided to catch up "on-line" and ended up watching a different series and totally baffled!
CSI is a bit, well, tired now, and I sometimes have a hard job turning off my "WTF are you talking about" reality filter when they make some ridiculous scientific or technical claim.
The problem is from over here in the UK we get to see US drama through rose tinted glasses. I really only get to see what the UK TV companies have passed. There are certainly still plenty of crap ones where they expect the audience to have the attention span of a gold-fish. The advantage the US has is it has far more milk being produced, so more cream available for export.
So...
So you have a patchy network and you expect me to pay you for a box to cover the gap. Then you charge me for the minutes I use on your network, even though I've provided the initial route all the way to your backbone via my ISP?
Can't for the life of me see why it didn't catch on.
We do actually have one here in the office (a few directors are on Voda) and even before the update it was a moody box of annoyance. No complaint so far today, but I'm sure they'll come soon, they always do.
I guess...
Google wanted to just run out of stock and leave thousands disappointed, yet manage to spin this into glowing press reports of unprecedented demand and "flying off the shelves".
Unfortunately their lawyers warned them Apple have already patented this technique.
@AC 06:42
Looks like they've been following Government policy and burying bad news on busy news days.
LMAO!
Is it April 1st again?
What? You mean he was serious?!
Too funny!
I guess it is apt. Apple live by hype and free press gossip so it's fitting that when they are naughty they should be outed via the same route - and have to pay for it!
Who is this judge? I think he has a rare grasp on modern reality and it's quite refreshing.
Re: Hmm
Not bad, but you forgot to throw in a mention of the Mac Flashback virus and how long it took for Apple to do anything about it for Lion, and even longer for Snow Leopard.
Video calling?
Video calling? On a phone? Wow...
Haven't seen that before... Sorry, I don't mean before, I mean used in the last 5 years due to horrendous per minute fees, that was it.
However I assume Apple will be granted a US patent for it any day now.
Re: More shocking...
Ah, sorry, I missed that he was Canadian.
Why on earth did he go to the US embassy?
Dammit!
I looked to see if that was release last night before putting the wheezy beta back onto my RPi - I'd rather screwed it up from too much playing and needed a "reset".
Sods law it turns up 12 hours afterwards!
65% plan to buy a phone that is not confirmed and has no spec?
Where's the sheep icon?
More shocking...
Whilst I'm shocked by the behaviour of the staff, it's the handling of the incident by the authorities which really worries me.
He was physically assaulted! The police cannot just do a Sarkozy shrug and ignore a reported assault.
The Englishman side of me mutters "Well what do you expect from the French?", but then the US embassy completely ignores the complaint too.
Write letters, kick up a stink and lets have heads roll for this.
Re: Funnily enough...
I don't see the link between restaurant waiters and McD staff... We're not talking silver service here, we're talking about some knuckle dragging monkey handing you a plastic tray, or pushing round a floor mop and bucket.
Re: Pi
You mean this one?
http://www.adonald.btinternet.co.uk/MMCCard/BBCMicro.htm
Posted in iPhone 5 to be skinniest Apple yet SHOCK
Re: Why is everyone competing to make the thinnest phone possible?
There's a huge untapped market of potential customers with very small hands who currently can't reach round the huge girth of existing phones.
Yes, you heard it here first. Apple want to get Bush Babies online.
Posted in iPhone 5 to be skinniest Apple yet SHOCK
Re: "The world's thinnest smart-phone"
Given the amount of shattered front glass I see, maybe they can claim the world's most delicate smart phone?
Re: So it's like one of those old Speccy/c64 games...
IIRC, those games on the speccy and 64 used to result in many joysticks being broken.
I don't know if I want to play a game with those risks!
Re: As with any big Company
Sure you mean "The five layers of middle management"... That's usually how it works with the big guys.
Each layer adding nothing to the process, just making the bottom layer more and more opaque to those higher up.
LMAO!
I love the instructions... "To run pee left/right"... Given the general aiming ability of your regular pub patron, I can only assume the sale of wellies will sky-rocket and "Oiy, you pissed on my shoe!" fights to do likewise!
Lip reading?
I wonder if Japan has any good lip readers?
I think John Terry might have some contact numbers if they want to give it a try.
Re: "We're all doomed!"
I thought flares were pretty normal in Camden?
Posted in Sigma SD1 Merill 46Mp DSLR
Are you sure?
Interesting camera... Okay, interesting sensor.
I'm a bit unsure about your choice of competition though. The D300s is way cheaper, can shoot faster, has more focus points (50+, with 15 being cross) can shoot video and will last way more than 200 shots on a single charge. The SD1 only wins on image quality at base ISO, and quickly loses that advantage in the real world. It's a bit of a one trick pony. 40 lenses sounds like a lot, but compared to the number available for Canon, and Nikon's huge back catalogue (they didn't do the Canon trick of changing their mounts for digital, so old lenses still fit) it's nothing.
It sounds like it is best aimed at replacing a D3x or D800. Unfortunately although both those bodies are more expensive than the SD1, they both trump it on everything but base ISO image quality. That might be the most important thing in a studio, so maybe it might make in-roads, but then there's the investment in changing all your lenses. And a camera is only as good as the glass on the front, and from my experience Sigma's stuff isn't as good as Nikon's.
So from a technical point of view it is an interesting sensor. From a real world, grab camera, shoot anything, point of view it's too restricted.
Re: Best do it quick...
Oh damn, beat me to it! I just posted a similar comment!
Confused...
Isn't this the same Govt that has some disembodied limb which is pushing for the death of analogue radio?
If they do that then building a radio is gonna be a damn sight more complicated than a tuning coil and a few other basic components. In fact it will probably contain more chips than the Pi!
Posted in BBC mulls seizing the wheel of Local TV
Re: FailMux more like
A documentary on local TV?
You're dreaming! They're far to expensive. Only the BBC can afford big projects like that, and even then you usually end up teaming up with another broadcaster from the US or Canada.
By the time the bidding process has finished, any company involved with a local TV station will be so far in the red that they'll be desperate to rake in cash. Every program will have a premium rate angle. The news will have a topical premium rate text "quiz" after it. Maybe "guess how many people have been killed in Baghdad today?".
Local farming programs will have a "guess the weight of the hay we harvested this week?" premium text quiz.
Cookery programs will have a "guess how much sugar I will use in tonight's dessert?" premium text quiz...
And then, they'll be real-time interactive live quizzes where you, the viewer can participate! Wow!
Participate via a premium rate text quiz of course.
My town actually has a local radio station. By local I mean really local. A micro station if you like. The signal barely makes it the 4km from the town centre to where I live. I think I've tuned into it twice. Both times I was greeted by several seconds of dead air before anyone said anything. Try doing that on a "proper" station on the emergency drop in recording would have triggered!
So local TV is either going to be painfully amateur, or painfully commercial.
Both obvious failures.
