FastCargo

I have to say I'm torn about this as well. I don't particularly like artifical limits being placed on an individual (or team for that matter). However, I can also see the reasoning. This year, my older son is part of soccer for the first time with the local YMCA league. 5 and 6 year old kids...heck, at that age, you're lucky if they can stay focused on any one thing more than 30 seconds. So, most times, soccer matches consist of 10 kids (2 teams of five) all trying to kick the ball at the same time and move it in some sort of direction. It's hilarious and funny to watch. Except in one instance. There is a team in the league composed of the same age kids (5 and 6). However, they have been playing as a team since they all were 1 year olds. Apparently, they are Mexican nationals that all know each other (sort of like similar arrangements you would see for embassy personnel and families). Anyway, partially because soccer is big in Mexico (as in most countries), that's what these kids took to early. The coach has them practice 3 times a week, etc. Folks, I've seen high school teams that can't play like these kids can. They are really, REALLY, good...coordinated, disciplined, organized. Obviously, it's a slaughter with anyone who plays them...usually the other team simply never sees the ball. You have to ask what the point of the league is. It's a YMCA league for 5 and 6 year olds...there are no playoffs, no advancing to state, national, etc...none of that exists. So, with that in mind...why are these guys here? No one, and I mean NO ONE, can compete with them. As the opposing coach and players, why should they play when they won't even see the ball. And as this coach and players, why should we play at all against teams that can't even provide a good scrimmage match against us...my team gets nothing out of walking over the other team (especially if we have a 4 year head start). I don't want that team held back at all...the kids need to be rewarded for their discipline and hard work. But, victory is sweeter when you actually have a chance at losing, otherwise, you might as well give the trophy away. IF they were in a real competition league, it would be a different story because the results determine your overall advancement. FC

Just awesome work...those darn Germans and their quest for perfection! FC

This is not a new problem. IRCM for airliners have already been extensively tested. And airliners have already been shot at with MANPADs with very mixed results...mostly misses/non fatal results with no attacks in the western hemisphere. This article has some numbers: http://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/manpads Note that though the potential economic damage of a successful MANPAD airliner attack is $16 billion USD, the cost to equip airliners with dedicated IRCM could be as much as $11 billion, with $2 billion per year to operate. In other words, you only get 2 years where it's cheaper to have IRCM. After that, it actually costs less to lose an airliner to a MANPAD. And before all you guys get up in arms about lives being priceless...no such thing. You don't drive in a car with a full steel roll cage, HANS equipment, 5 point harness and a nomex firesuit / helmet do ya? And you could add all that yourself, but you don't because it would cost a bunch of money and be a PITA to wear. In other words, you trade off the risk you could die in a car accident verses the money you save not having all that stuff because it probably won't happen to you today. FC

Outstanding! I really hope they continue to succeed and thrive. FC

SaE, There wouldn't be anything on the KC-135 that would accidentally wipe your drive...otherwise just about every other magnetic device (including your credit cards) would have been wiped as well. FC

Spoilers Ahead! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_American_World_Airways FC

A DC-10 won't land there. A KC-10 might do low approaches there...but I highly doubt it at 11PM.. Honestly, we need more info...a large aircraft won't land there. The only thing I can think of would be a C-17 practicing assault approaches. A 60 foot wide runway won't accommodate anything much bigger than a twin engine prop job safely. FC

Ha! Perfect!! FC

This is a non story. FC

We've been watching ST:V as well, catching up on missed eps. Love Netflix streaming, once DS9 hits, it'll be great.... FC

Alright, looks like all points have been aired in this thread, from the intelligent to the asinine. No one's mind is going to be changed. As Cave Johnson would say, "We're done here". This thread is closed. FC

Airplane crashes happen all the time in all phases of flight. Pilots accept the risk that entails. It is not your call to decide how an aircraft is flown (other than regulation compliance) unless you are directly affected by the decision to fly. Also, a lot of these warbirds were in fact rescued from the scrapheap, instead of being left to rot or melted down. As much as I mourn the tragic loss of life and the loss of the aircraft, at least up until the end, it was giving joy to it's owner, pilot, and fellow fans of avaition vs sitting, rusting and forgotten. You want to play boy in the bubble, that's fine...but don't ask the rest of us to. FC

No. Accidents happen. Auto racing kills far more spectators than airshow crashes in the US. In fact, in the almost 50 years that the Reno Air Races have existed, this is the first time there has been an accident that has seriously injured or killed someone on the ground. Every death sucks, period. But I refuse to condemn a whole class of flying because of one accident. Pilots understand and accept the risk. The accident happened in an unexpected manner, where the aircraft paralleled the crowd line. No one expected the P-51 to suddenly pitch up and barrel roll into the crowd. And racers would be happy to go to other prop aircraft if they were competitive. But there has only been one attempt so far: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaled_Composites_Pond_Racer I actually saw this aircraft in person at the 1991 Reno Air Races. It was awesome to see fly and compete with a sound completely different from the other racers. But it wasn't successful unfortunately...and R and D is still very expensive. You want to save warbirds from racing? Develop an alternative unlimited racer. FC

I can understand so called 'bloatware' concerns if the OS is laggy. But considering Win8 cold boots in 7 seconds on an Intel Atom processor, runs just as fast or faster than XP does, any claims about bloated code are premature at best. Also, playing with the interface, you can do traditional or touchscreen. If you have the option for either, why not? For mobile devices, where storage space is at a premium and touch screens rule, maybe you only want the touch interface. But for PCs, where HD space is cheap and plentiful, having either option available is just fine. FC

For those who don't know, Microsoft has released a pre-beta version of Win8 out into the wild...similar to what they did for Win7. I've currently got it installed on a Dell Mini 9 (kids computer)...Intel Atom 1.6 GHz with 1GB RAM and integrated graphics. First thing...it's pretty darn stable considering technically it's an alpha. Secondly, it's designed to operate as a mobile (ie touchscreen) or a conventional interface...makes sense because it's rumored to be able to run on ARM processors. Third, as you might not expect, it's fast! It boots far quicker than WinXP did on this machine, which is remarkable since the Mini 9 was designed to run a stripped version of WinXP. Actual operation seems about the same in terms of speed, with built in antiviral, firewall, etc. I was impressed with Win7, but Win8 so far seems even smoother. I think the development of Windows Mobile 7 has paid dividends in helping tighten up the code for Windows 8. So if you've got a computer to spare, give Windows 8 a shot and report here. I'd like to see what other folks are getting for performance. FC

Short answer...no, not really. There is something I tried some time ago... http://combatace.com/topic/61803-multiple-aircraft-taking-off-from-runway-at-once/page__view__findpost__p__469140 But it has some severe limitations. FC

How many different ways can you f*** this up? Folks who are affected by Austim/Aspergers have been trying for decades to show they can be reliable, functional members of society. And this asshole decides to use it as a defense? Way to go, moron...you've just used the 'I was suffering from PMS' excuse... Secondly, he's now set a precedent for government intervention on free speech in social networking sites (and by extension, the internet). Before anyone gets their panties in a wad, realize it is one thing if we as admins/moderators edit/ban/delete posts, etc. This is a private website, so free speech does not exist here. It is very much another thing if the government takes active steps to do the same thing, including arresting and jailing offenders. I don't agree with what the guy did...I'd of had no problem with a group of folks taking him behind the woodshed and giving him some wall to wall counseling. But realize there are larger ramifications here. FC

But this too? http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/09/12/top-gun-3d/ No, no, and hell no. Any making of a natively 2D film into 3D automatically screws it up. It's like colorizing Casablanca... FC

I wouldn't get a TM Warthog for the simple reason that it gives you no displacement feedback. Ergonomically, that's a foul. FC

Here's an article about The Asylum by Wired magazine: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/12/ff_the_asylum/ It's pretty interesting and gives insight on their business model. Basically, you don't have to make a lot of money...but you just have to make enough. FC

1) It's a fake. 2) An 'invisibility suit' would not have to be perfect to be militarily useful. The idea, like stealth technology, is to be able to get close enough to your target to take him out first before he finds you. If you think of the idea as 'active camoflage', it makes a lot more sense. The idea isn't to make it perfect...but 'good enough' to be effective. FC

A science fiction short story...but gives some insight. http://www.webscription.net/chapters/0743498860/0743498860___9.htm FC

You can do some pretty amazing stuff with paper, check this out: The paper model (which did fly) is the second from the top...the grey/white model of the Russian N-1 moon rocket. The only thing not paper on it besides the engine hook is the small fairings on the stages. Yep, even the lattice supports between stages are paper cutouts. FC

http://combatace.com/topic/67422-dark-falcon-released/ Please don't discuss how to obtain the original Falcon 4.0 by other than legal means in the open forum. We tend to frown on that sort of thing here. FC

It's a funny thing...most folks in the US associate earthquakes with the Pacific coast, specifically California. A lot of people don't know the US is riddled with faults. One of the bigger ones is the New Madrid Fault: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid_Seismic_Zone If that thing goes, what will happen to Memphis, TN will make what Katrina did to New Orleans look like nothing. And if you want to really see a geologic doomsday bomb, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_Caldera It's estimated that an eruption here would have 2500 times the power of Mount St. Helens and thick, choking ash would cover about 1/2 of the US. FC