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IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

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Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#91

Post by metageek »

grishick wrote: post #80
cooldeal wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know how far the analogy holds up. After all, microwave is not very programmable(in the computing sense) nor so restrictive. Did the microwave only cook food that was specially labeled microwaveable(and food grocers had to pay 30% of the price of food to the microwave manufacturer to get that special label) ? Isn't that what happens with the iPad? Eg. The free Sony e-reader app was rejected, Readability was r…

I think it applies to tablets in general rather then to the iPad

Most tablets don't have a gatekeeper deciding what apps you can run.

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#92

Post by metageek »

Andys wrote: post #61
steverb wrote: post #4

Oddly enough, the microwave is the least used appliance in our kitchen. If it weren't for the fact that they are so cheap now as to be virtually free we probably wouldn't have one. When the iPad gets to that same price point we'll probably get one as well.

In other words, they're a commodity, and pretty much all the same no matter who makes it.

Except for the user interface (again, like tablets). Some still lack "add minute" buttons, or require you to press "Timed cook" or some such before you start typing in the time.

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#93

Post by metageek »

Groxx wrote: post #14
akashs wrote: post #13

Poptarts instructions: "Microwave on high for 3 seconds". Probably my favorite use...what else can you make in 3 seconds? http://www2.kelloggs.com/ProductDetail.aspx?id=439

My favorite: sparks with grapes / CDs (though those smell), or making plasma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7RFyh5ABcQ

My vote: microwave metallurgy.

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#94

Post by metageek »

brianobush wrote: post #75

If i can get an ipad w/o a having a mac, then I will agree it is akin to a microwave. I can't buy one for my parents, since they have no mac. how would they update it? activate it, etc?

It doesn't update over the air?

I know I've read you can activate it in the store before taking it home.

(Edit: I know my mom has an iPad and no Mac.)

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#95

Post by metageek »

th0ma5 wrote: post #72
heyitsnick wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Heating up water for tea?! I recommend never suggesting this if you ever visit England.

I have a kettle, and it is just as quick, but is there a fundamental difference? Does the microwave "scorch" the water? Whatever that might be (ie, make it hotter than it needs to be, manipulate the minerals in the water in a way that affects taste?)

I was skeptical about this, but some years ago my wife got me to do a taste test, and I had to agree that tea from the teakettle tasted marginally better.

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#96

Post by JonoW »

I enjoyed the article, but I just can't completely agree. The microwave is seen as essential because it gives us humans such a valuable asset - time. Our time is hugely valuable. I don't see tablets, iPad or other, having that same impact. Sure they have some great qualities and they can make some tasks easier and more convinient, but not significiantly quicker. That doesn't mean they're not going to successful of course, I just don't seem them becoming ubiquitous.

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#97

Post by georgieporgie »

ajays wrote: post #87
georgieporgie wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know why in the US they prohibit honey. Because unpasteurized honey can contain botulism spores. It's a small enough quantity not to bother an older stomach, but infants can die from it. I guess pasteurized honey is safe, but doesn't taste very good. My question is: why in the world would you give a newborn infant honey? I can't imagine the logic that says, "hey, a baby just popped out of a vagina, let's get…

In India, it's the done thing. It's done to get the newborn swallowing. Typically, a relative who's in the delivery room dips a finger in honey and applies a little bit to the roof of the mouth (of the newborn). In fact, there's a saying, "I gave you honey" (said by an older person to a young 'un), which means, "I gave you life", which comes from this procedure. Look at the population of India. Do you think the "botu…

Look at the population of India. Do you think the "botulism spores" have caused any damage?

Besides the obvious, "YES!", what effect does your statement have on the fact that American babies have died from botulism spores found in raw honey?

Have you verified that, of Indian infants who died, all were tested for botulism?

I suspect you haven't, and it sounds like maybe you're just ranting about the tangential subject of cleanliness and allergy. But hey, maybe a few dead babies and some hookworm (42.8% infection rate) is better than popping a Claratin.

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#98

Post by th0ma5 »

heyitsnick wrote: post #85
th0ma5 wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a kettle, and it is just as quick, but is there a fundamental difference? Does the microwave "scorch" the water? Whatever that might be (ie, make it hotter than it needs to be, manipulate the minerals in the water in a way that affects taste?)

Water should be boiling, not just hot. When you say 'heat up water', it suggests it's not at the point of vigorous boil to really extract the flavour. Allow me to quote Douglas Adams: "One or two Americans have asked me why it is that the English like tea so much, which never seems to them to be a very good drink. To understand, you have to know how to make it properly. There is a very simple principle to the making…

Also that makes sense, the distinction of boiling! Thank you, again, er, for the third time.

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#99

Post by kenjackson »

ajays wrote: post #87
georgieporgie wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know why in the US they prohibit honey. Because unpasteurized honey can contain botulism spores. It's a small enough quantity not to bother an older stomach, but infants can die from it. I guess pasteurized honey is safe, but doesn't taste very good. My question is: why in the world would you give a newborn infant honey? I can't imagine the logic that says, "hey, a baby just popped out of a vagina, let's get…

In India, it's the done thing. It's done to get the newborn swallowing. Typically, a relative who's in the delivery room dips a finger in honey and applies a little bit to the roof of the mouth (of the newborn). In fact, there's a saying, "I gave you honey" (said by an older person to a young 'un), which means, "I gave you life", which comes from this procedure. Look at the population of India. Do you think the "botu…

India is not the US. And while that seems snarky I mean that botulism is complex. While honey may be the carrier to infants in the US, honey in India, due to several other factors, may not have the same incidence of spores. That is a recommendation in the US or Argentina, may not apply to India or Africa.

Here's a good paper on infant botulism: http://www.iss.it/binary/publ/cont/ANN_09_20_Fenicia.pdf

From this you'll see that things are not very black and white. It's understanding a relatively rare condition w/ imperfect data.

Re: IPad: The Microwave Oven of Computing

#100

Post by zubazuba »

raganwald wrote: post #22
Jun8 wrote: post #2

People who argue that microwaves has/had no clear use have clearly not worshiped their microwave for sterilizing baby bottles in no time at 2am with a screaming baby at hand. Therein lies the interesting fact: The new, "in the middle" device may trigger new approaches and ways of life that may indispensable. The baby bottle sterilizer is an unexpected but vital byproduct of the microwave.

This. The very best gifts are the ones that you didn't know you wanted until you received one, and thereafter you discover that you can no longer live without them. My first microwave was a gift from my sister, and it followed this pattern. I scoffed at them as being convenient but taking up counter space for a function that my stove could accomplish already. Soon after she gave me one, I started wondering how I live…

Great point! I feel like smartphones were like this too. When the iPhone first came out I scoffed at my buddy for paying $600 for a phone (in an age when a large variety of phones were available for free with contract). Now I can't live without my smartphone.
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