I saw this in /. earlier in the week.
Apparently NASA is turning to the American public for new challenge/contest ideas.
I don’t know whether to be impressed that they’re trying to get new perspective.. or scared that they can’t come up with it on their own.
There’s lots and lots of smart people at NASA. I hope [...]
Category Archives: hmmm
nasa searching for new challenges
Sunday, October 4, 2009
one-way to mars
Monday, September 7, 2009
The NY Times has an interesting op-ed on this topic today.
Maybe we should consider sending people on one-way trips to Mars because if they’re explorers as earth-bound ones were, presuming a return trip may be too expensive – or even undesirable.
We’ve had lots of experience as humans of sending people on one-way trips. Maybe we [...]
safari on linux?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
I’ve been wondering why Apple hasn’t made an edition of its browser available for Linux – any of them.
It’s based on various open-source tools, and while we all know Apple likes very much to control the user experience, it seems odd to me they haven’t released at least a source edition for Lionux.
If you’re interested [...]
what a coincidence
Thursday, August 20, 2009
My cost center code at work is 27244-1321.
The zip code of my old employer (and school) is 27244.
I know, recurring 5-digit numbers isn’t that weird – there’s only 10000 of them, after all. But still. I thought it was interesting.
blackberry menus
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
For what it’s worth, I wanted to change the 6 buttons on the home screen of my work-issued Blackberry. On my Motorola phones, altering the home screen is a cinch – go to Settings, Home Screen, and you’re good to go.
Apparently the Blackberry, while trying to be helpful, I’m sure, makes this much harder – [...]
generating power
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I’ve been reading recently abour various “unusual” power-generation methods. One of those that I’ve seen mentioned in several places is the solar updraft tower.
After having read about that, I wonder why more industrial steam stacks don’t utilize something similar: if you’re throwing away the steam, couldn’t you put a VAWT or other energy-capturing device in [...]
the one hundred ninety-nine dollar.. what?
Monday, July 6, 2009
I arrived in Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale, or GSS. It’s advertised everywhere. It’s the one time of year when [nearly] every store, restaurant, service provider, etc offers big discounts for shoppers.
In Plaza Singapura, the mall next to where I work, they’ve been having different vendors taking-over the concourse area on the first floor [...]
that was different
Saturday, June 27, 2009
I’ve been in Singapore for two weeks.
Today I stopped at a bar near where I’ve been stayng for a snack and a couple beverages.
It took me a couple-few minutes to figure out what was going on, but apparently the legalized prostitution industry in Singapore isn’t limited to the red-light district.
Hopefully I did a good job [...]
store brands are sometimes better
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I shop at various grocery stores, and the cashiers generally look at my purchases a little askance: clementines, milk, ice cream, pot pies, beer, Ensure – they seem to get confused when I checkout with my selections.
I was raised with a thrifty mindset, but am not afraid to spend money for better quality.
For years I’ve [...]
out/open-sourcing education
Along with the /. post mentioned by Jason, is Bob Cringely’s discussion on outsourcing education.
What is the emphasis on in-person education from specific professors? I’ve been asked for my transcript professionally once – and that’s because my current employer pays more attention to grades than technical aptitude.
I can recall only a small handful of professors [...]