Year: 2006

This Isn’t Asimov’s Robot Anymore

Asimov’s first story in what is now Science Fiction’s legendary Robot series, Robbie, was the tale of a little girl and her robot companion named Robbie. This story eventually became the opening story for Asimov’s robot anthology entitled I, Robot.. Robbie was a mute robot originally intended to be a nursemaid (or nanny) for the little girl, and in short order becomes her best friend and confidant. Life imitates art. You’ve probably seen pictures of Asimo–Honda’s bipedal robot that can climb stairs and play a very slow soccer game–today comes news of PaPeRo -you guessed it–a robot nanny!

Robots have made their debut at a Japanese hospital where an android receptionist and two porters now work alongside their human counterparts.

Receptionist, porter robots make debut at Japanese hospital from PhysOrg.com

Science Fiction comes to life.

Setting Up the Other Site

I have been working on my new site – or should I say space. I can not decide on a format for the website itself. I have set up a photo gallery and a forum. I set up the forum so I could see what was involved as I have never set one up before.

The photo album is going to be fun. If you are an approved member you can load up your own photos or comment on mine LOL.

The blog – WordPress again – is there and running but I have not decided on a theme. Mabe I will make my own.

Back to the main site. Should I go php nuke? For some reason I am thinking of going with a basic no frills deal. Just html and css. Set up up for low bandwidth and older browsers. What do you think?

I might get to go fishing on Lake Shasta this weekend . .. waiting for the call this afternoon. That is why I am up so late 🙂

goofy

Good Bye habeas corpus

With the signing of the Military Commissions Act , the Bush Administration has now completely obliterated habeas corpus from the American Constitution. It seems the U.S. government can now arrest anyone, no matter their nationality, and hold them indefinately without cause, charges, trial, or an opportunity to confront their accuser. Those arrested can be detained and moved anywhere the U.S deems appropriate; these places are not reserved to U.S. soil.

Statement by President Bush:

“Today, the Senate sent a strong signal to the terrorists that we will continue using every element of national power to pursue our enemies and to prevent attacks on America. The Military Commissions Act of 2006 will allow the continuation of a CIA program that has been one of America’s most potent tools in fighting the War on Terror. Under this program, suspected terrorists have been detained and questioned about threats against our country. Information we have learned from the program has helped save lives at home and abroad. By authorizing the creation of military commissions, the Act will also allow us to prosecute suspected terrorists for war crimes” – Source: White House Press Office

Woe of the Voter

More than 30 percent of the electorate will use new technology to vote on Nov. 7. In addition to the new voting equipment, 49 states have introduced new statewide, computerized databases to determine who is eligible to vote. According to Eugene Spafford, executive director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), the technology may be problematic, possibly causing a debacle reminiscent of the 2000 election.

Most of the problems would result in human error – where are the machines stored? and possible power failures that would lead to the machines resetting – many without paper ballot backups . …

I would bring my own paper and pencil . ..