Re: Codec patents

Yes, and thus should never have been granted. Codecs especially are just maths! Even more so than something like Word.

Re: I know i'll get downvoted...

I don't think you will. It sounds like a dodgy bit of finger waving passed off as research to me.

Re: I stopped reading here...

Google can drop your service anytime? True that Google drops services and adds others. But if you want professional service you can get a Google business account for e-mail, storage etc. with SLA guarantees, which can not be withdrawn just like that.

Orlowski completely contradicts himself here. First he complains about Google providing services for free (despite other successful paid offerings), then when Google drops a free service, he complains again!

Surely Google dropping a free service would provide a space for paid for products to take their place. Or perhaps people aren't prepared to pay for these services after all?

Re: Past and future

The problem is, of course, that we tore up all that nice track they spent lots of money laying.

For example, if the Central Line was still in place, we wouldn't be discussing this at all. In fact, I'd much rather they upgraded the Chiltern Line and reinstated the track in the existing trackbed of the Central Line.

I've not personally calculated the cost, but since a lot of the cuttings, embankments, drainage, and in some cases, bridges are still there, surely that would be a better way of spending the money.

I also have a problem with the capacity argument. The two tracks are not in the same place, merely have the same end points, e.g. London and Birmingham. I would argue that most of the capacity problems are at either end on the commuter routes, and I'm willing to bet that during the daytime, the trains are at best half full. Are there really that many people in Birmingham wanting to visit London & visa-versa? It's not even going to Heathrow, for goodness sake!

Finally, If you are going to go to all that effort, at least lay four tracks, not two, or at the very least reserve enough land for four tracks, and add a bit of future proofing.

Oh, and I was told that the HS2 would not be suitable for freight at all, as the slow freight trains would get in the way of the high speed trains, and would thus negate their purpose.

Disclaimer: HS2 will pass about 200 metres from my house. This is something I would be perfectly happy with if I thought it could be justified at all.

Re: Look...

If they bring up interesting bits of history from the sea bed, or create their own launch system at vastly cheaper cost than existing systems, or indeed do anything that spends their money rather than hording it, they can do all the ego projects they like.

Re: Meanwhile...

That's what you get for taking the Apple!

Re: The beauty of open software

Oh and by the way, how do you copy and paste on an Galaxy S3 ? It never crossed my mind I could do it on mine.

Press and hold on any piece of text. Drag the markers to surround the bit of text you want copied. Tap the copy icon.

Simples.

P.S. Can we have a Meerkat icon please?

Re: battery cooling

Another thing to think about is the AC cooling is driven by the engines. When the battery is most needed, guess which component is most likely not running?

Re: Something to hide?

And what's wrong with having something to hide?

You don't have to be doing illegal things to what your privacy.

Re: is it noisy?

I have the previous version, the Foxsat HDR, and I'd say it was inaudible.

There is also custom firmware available that enabled a webserver, shell access, FTP etc. so you could download recordings, or indeed stream them, as well as access to the schedule.

No doubt someone will hack this model to match.

Re: It's Political Grandstanding, that's all

Yes, I was impressed (a little) that Google did come straight out and say that they were trying to avoid Tax. A point that rather rubbed Amazon and Starbucks' noses in it.

It will be interesting to see if 'Do No Evil' extends to 'Pay a fair amount of tax in the countries you do business in'.

Also wanting an intelligent debate icon.

Not to mention wanting to scan other frequencies for potentially stronger signals.

Re: McBastards

My personal opinion of McDonalds products is that I'm better off throwing away the burger and eating the carton.

I did actually do this once. The paper wrapper tasted pretty much the same as the burger it enveloped.

Re: Monopolies

Brita have pretty much a monopoly on water filters. How come the EU isn't insisting they have to provide a water filter cartridge choice when you buy the filter jugs?

Simply because Brita are not forcing all jug manufactorers to include a Brita water filter.

The problem wasn't so much that Microsoft had a monopoly in operating systems, it was that it was using a monopoly in operating systems to force everyone to use their browser technologies.

Re: IE? Who uses that shit ?

IE? Who uses that shit ?

Sadly, my customers.

Re: Had the C64 version...

Yes, It took about five minutes of tape to load up the sample. Once you were done playing it, it spent another five minutes loading the game.

:-)

Re: Fast discharge as well?

<blockquote>As far as "extremely high power levels" is concerned as mr. Boyce mentioned.... Ever looked, and I mean *looked* at the power consumption of an electric stove at full burn?</blockquote>

Modern electric showers consume even more than cookers nowadays. A quick survey would suggest 10.8kW is the highest available.

Also, most modern house supplies (UK) are fused at 80Amps which would suggest 19kW is available.

We here at the FBI have no sense of humour we're aware of.

</moviequote>