pigboy

6 ms·

1.
by pigboy 12y ago
Out of all those advanced civilizations in the universe, what fraction use electromagnetic radiation for communication? We are like ants waiting for other civilizations to communicate with us using pheromones.
2.
by pigboy 13y ago
The statement "space is cold" doesn't make much sense, since space, being a vacuum, is lacking any _thing_ to have a temperature at all. What little matter does exist in the vacuum of space is not going to conduct any significant heat from
3.
by pigboy 14y ago
I love this, but I would like to be able to return to my solved puzzles after I've done them (assumed that's what the "Save" button did). Quite happy to finally get level 11 done.
4.
by pigboy 14y ago
That used to motivate me too. But when I found myself in a job where my work no longer made that happen, I quit and changed careers (mid-40s). I just turned 50 and I am in my third year teaching high-school math, physics and computer scienc
5.
by pigboy 14y ago
Energy density is a critical issue for aircraft because lift/drag ratios are capped at around 15 to 30. For every 15-30 N of fuel weight, you must supply at least 1 N of additional thrust (which translates to power, once you multiply by spe
6.
by pigboy 14y ago
I'm finding I generate very few "personal files" these days, compared with, say, ten years ago. Most personal files are produced/archived with Google Docs. Yes, that is scary. I also have 100 GB or so of archived photographs and videos that
7.
by pigboy 14y ago
The capsule and heat shield do deplete virtually all of its speed. With Mars' thin atmosphere, the terminal velocity is still quite high and the parachute/rocket combination is needed to take it all the way down. AFAIK this is a relativel
8.
by pigboy 14y ago
Anouncing: the Chromebook of media players!
9.
by pigboy 14y ago
I started using Opera in the days when its free version was supported by adware (I actually purchased a license). It was always a technical innovator, so the question of why it failed to garner market share is a good one. The answer, of cou
10.
by pigboy 15y ago
American "free enterprise" at work. Why some people worship this nonsense is beyond me.
11.
by pigboy 16y ago
Principal Software Designer for embedded systems at Simplex Time Recorder, a subsidiary of Tyco International. The dot-com bubble involved more than Internet companies as Tyco's stock crashed amid scandal involving its CEO. For me this led