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Comment: Re:nice work (Score 1) 464

This windowless cockpit idea has few positives compared to the current status quo.

And you can prove this how?

Where is your analytical study?

The amount of time flown where this system could conceivably provide a better view for the pilot (that is one that allows him to perform his function more effectively) could well be a lot longer than when it does not. If it improves overall fleet safety then it's better.

Comment: Re:nice work (Score 1) 464

This has nothing to do with 'marketing types' and 'blue sky thinkers'. Since the A380 Airbus have used a rigourous systems-engineering based approach to product design, starting with an analysis of the functions that the product is required to provide. This is a clear resut of the requirement to provide pilots visual information, i.e. the 'need' in you Patton argument

If it provides better information more often than it provides worse information compared with an alternative implementation then it's bought its way onto the product. If it's lighter or cheaper than the alternative then the weight and cost can be used in other systems or structure to improve overall safety or cost of ownership.

If someone comes up with an idea that has some merit it gets patented.

The aircraft industry is nothing like the software industry.

Comment: Re:nice work (Score 1) 464

You probably did more analytical thinking when you formulated the following paragraph than the entire design team who made this crap

No. He did not. Details of execution are unimportant at the concept stage because they will be designed, analysed and tested to work at least as well as a transparency and last for thirty years in extremes of temperature, humidity and abuse.

The only thing that really counts in commercial aviation is price. Windows are heavy and expensive. Pilots are heavy and expensive. Once the industry can demonstrate safe operation without one or the other, they will be designed out.

Comment: Anyone Can Produce a New Smartphone... (Score 1) 193

by occasional_dabbler (#47307793) Attached to: First Phone Out of Microsoft-Nokia -- and It's an Android
...in the couple of months that have passed since the Microsoft/Nokia deal...

This device was developed by Nokia long before the buyout and is ready to go to market, the Nokia name still moves lots of product in the key market for this device: India. Get them hooked, in two years Windows phone OS will displace this temporary line (it's already started with the 8.1 hardware spec, which effectively permits any Android-capable hardware to run Windows Phone, on-screen buttons, no camera button etc...) Most consumers won't even know they're changing OS. Microsoft would be stupid to ditch this.

Comment: Re:IANA Physicist, So... (Score 3, Informative) 630

by occasional_dabbler (#46707009) Attached to: Navy Debuts New Railgun That Launches Shells at Mach 7
This is simple. You are making the air near the missile move at Mach 7.

The temperature of the air will be around ten times ambient, so 3000K, which is more or less the stochiometric temperature for hydrocarbon fuels.

Read this for details of the isentropic flow relationships.


Why Darmok Is a Good Star Trek: TNG Episode 512

Posted by Soulskill
from the i-always-wanted-to-see-a-Tamarian-Borg dept.

Comment: Nokia (Score 1) 125

by occasional_dabbler (#46477113) Attached to: Microsoft Dumping License Fees For Windows Phone?
At the moment most of the really useful apps are Nokia's, and mostly only available on their handsets. The basic OS without these does not compare well with Android/iOS. It will be interesting to see if with the acquisition, MS makes these apps core, either for regularly licenced copies ir these free ones. I have a high-end Lumia925, more or less iPhone quality, and a Lumia520, which for less than Â£100 SIM free, is almost as good. WP8 really does run well on very cheap hardware.
