>>
>> So napster is soon to be no more. I'd just like to
>>know why musicians think they are somehow better than authors. I don't
>>hear any writers whining about their books being put into libraries.
>
>The main issue is about being able to create a
>suitable duplicate. Still a pain in the rear to
>photocopy the whole book (but if you want to read
>online, it's a whole 'nother story, and yes, they'll
>whine).
>
>Not to go too far into nerd territory, but just
>imagine if they could create a "Star Trek" style
>replicator? You'd hear whining from everyone!
>
>"Computer, replicate me a 56" screen SONY HDTV."
>
>On the extra large ACME Replicator: "Computer, create
>me a 2001 Corvette Convertable."
>
The really cool part of the above statement is that the replicator
is slowly coming into existence. They're called 3D Printers, and they
build 3-dimensional objects by depositing a material (such as plastic
or metal) layer by layer. There are also other approaches (such as
'curing' a liquid layer by layer). The US Army wants to use it to
create replacement vehicle parts in remote regions. They're working
on being able to combine materials to create more complex objects.
Anyway, it will be really interesting in the future when you
want to borrow your neighbor's lawnmower and instead he tells you to
just Napster over the CAD plans and print your own. :-) It's going
to have serious implications for personal property. OK, that's
a *long* way off, if it ever happens, but damn it's cool to think
about.
Check out these web sites for some info on it, or search
Yahoo for 3D printing:
http://www.newscientist.com/features/features.jsp?id=ns225821
www.zcorp.com
www.toybuilders.com
Steve
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