Note: This column represents the opinions
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Today is one of those awful days when, no matter how much I ponder, I can't
seem to come up with a decent idea for a column.
It's not really a form of writer's block, it's just that things seem to be
ticking over quite nicely in the hi-tech world with nothing of earth-shattering
importance to comment on.
Telecom's overbilling is yesterday's news, there are no major new security
holes in MS Windows or its applications, the only worms and viruses
in circulation are old ones, and even the recording industry seems not to
have sued anyone new or come up with any more lame-brained and futile attempts
to protect its wares.
Good grief -- what's the world coming to?
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Even the level of spam in my mailbox was somewhat less than usual today --
although a nice Iraqi man did offer me 20% of his massive fortune if I could
help him get it out of the country.
Unfortunately I can't help him but I did put him in touch with the manager of
a Nigerian bank who also contacted me yesterday and seems to know a lot about
this sort of thing. Call it my good deed for the day :-)
So instead, I figured I'd tell you all a bit about what I'm doing these days...
Wake up -- I haven't started yet!
After much planning, I'm about to start work in ernest on my record-setting
speed vehicle. I know it will be record setting because there is no other
like it so its first run will set a benchmark record even if it's just 5kph.
I've been testing the big jet engines and now have them running on pure
Jet A1 fuel, producing a snotload of power. Work on the chassis starts
shortly, as will work on the masses of electronics that are required for
even this simple vehicle.
An onboard GPS to provide some indication of speed, engine control systems
manage the flow of fuel while monitoring temperatures and combustion pressures,
data-logging and telemetry allow many aspects of the vehicle's performance
and operation to be recorded and analysed later, and then of course there's
the obligatory stereo and neons (just kidding).
Of course, given my current situation, I'll be putting on my scrounging cap
and chasing up sponsorship whenever and wherever I can -- so if you know of
anyone who wants their name/logo/branding plastered all over a vehicle that's
bound to get a *lot* of positive media attention, let me know.
It's also planned to get Richard Noble (former land-speed record holder and the
man behind the current record-holding vehicle Thrust SSC) out here before the
end of the year to give the thing a once-over and have a chat with the media.
One of the big problems I'm facing right now is finding somewhere to run the
damned thing for the purposes of setting a reasonable speed record. NZ seems
devoid of the dry lake-beds and salt-flats that are often used in countries
like the USA and Australia. Perhaps someone can offer suggestions?
And, just to make Dr Cullen annoyed, all this record-setting work and innovation
is being done in a good old Kiwi shed. The total cost of the vehicle is
now expected to be around NZ$8K -- not bad for something that (according to my
calculations) should do the standing quarter-mile in about 7 seconds and
reach about 320Kph in its initial configuration.
Oh yeah, of course
Damn, after writing all that I *did* come up with an idea for today's column.
I see NZ has had its first prosecution for the sale of a banned video game. What
are your thoughts on that?
Is there really any point in banning a game from local sale when those most
likely to want it can almost certainly pluck a cracked copy from their favourite
P2P network?
Aardvark Forums
The forums are back up at:
www.aardvarkforums.co.nz/forums,
have your say on today's column
Unfortunately you'll have to re-register because we're starting the new year
with a complete reinstall.
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