Awesome Pictures Thread

[Nebu]

You can play video games while waiting on the plutonium enrichment for the warhead to be completed. 

[schild]

Surely that can be reduced in size.

[Teleku]

It looks like you can plug in at least three monitors into that thing.

It looks like it MIGHT have enough power to play Pacman as well.

[apocrypha]

Surely that can be reduced in size.

[Trippy]

Surely that can be reduced in size.

Not easily. The types of components they can use is much more limited for that sort of application. It's somewhat analogous to how the Space Shuttle computers used to use core memory until relatively recently because of its ability to hold state without power and resistance to having "bits flipped" by radiation or an EMP.

[sidereal]

Needs a neon strip and some water cooling in thar.

[Oban]

Surely that can be reduced in size.

Not easily. The types of components they can use is much more limited for that sort of application. It's somewhat analogous to how the Space Shuttle computers used to use core memory until relatively recently because of its ability to hold state without power and resistance to having "bits flipped" by radiation or an EMP.

That is a roughly 1961-66 -era computer.  The modern NS50A Missile Guidance System is a bit smaller:


and the next generation missile guidance system is quite a bit smaller using new technology chipsets:

[Abagadro]

That second one looks like something out of a Alistair Reynolds Revelation Space novel.

[MahrinSkel]

It looks like you can plug in at least three monitors into that thing.

Those are RS-232 parallel interface ports.  Some people might remember them as what they used to hook their printers to their computers through.  Air Force used them for *everything*.  Some of those on that would be for diagnostics, others for setting targets and authorization codes.

I worked with a system that had magnetic core arrays for its RAM in the 90's (hooked up to a standard hard drive that had replaced the ginormous tape systems it had used for storage).  The military tends to stick with old tech because getting new stuff through the appropriations process is such a PITA compared to renewing a parts and support contract.

--Dave

[Righ]

Those are RS-232 parallel interface ports.

RS-232 is serial. You are likely thinking of either a DB25F Centronics parallel port or a DB25F RS-232 serial port. Those are D50FSs in any case.

[MahrinSkel]

I just spent 20 minutes trying to figure this out, as near as I can tell the "parallel port" we used to use for connecting printers (with a DB25 to Centronics adapter cable) also supported RS232, which is where my confusion came from, I assumed 9-pin serial ports were completely different than the 25-pin parallel port.

And after zooming in on that pic of the guidance systemI see three lines of pin receptors, so I stand corrected.

--Dave

[Cyrrex]

Guys, stop over-nerding my joke.  I also thought it looked more like a serial port of some kind, but hooking up a printer didn't seem to be as fun as hooking up a monitor.

Hey!  I wonder if you can OC that thing...?

(cue Trippy in 3...2...1...)

[Trippy]

[Bunk]

Those are RS-232 parallel interface ports.

RS-232 is serial. You are likely thinking of either a DB25F Centronics parallel port or a DB25F RS-232 serial port. Those are D50FSs in any case.

I always found the funniest thing about the RS-232, was that it had 25 pins, but typically only used 3 or 4 actual wires connected inside, including one for power and one for ground.

[Murgos]

That is a roughly 1961-66 -era computer.  The modern NS50A Missile Guidance System is a bit smaller:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RHPPC

If you want specifics...

[SnakeCharmer]

For the car nuts besides me:

2010 Camaro 'Black' Version.  Other than the flat black hood, DO WANT.

[Trippy]

Don't know if it's the lighting, wax/polish, camera or my display but that black paint looks like plastic. Also that matte black hood piece is hideous.

[SnakeCharmer]

Combination of all of the above, other than your display.  Bad lighting, too many reflections, and probably taken with a cheap camera.  Though a good many pieces (nose piece, rear bumper, and side skirts at the very least) are plastic.

And yeah, they had no business putting the flat/matte hood on that thing.

[Ookii]

Eh, that is why Germans and Italians design the best looking cars while the Japanese build the ones that last the longest.  American cars?  Bleh.

[Cyrrex]

I'm going to go ahead and contradict my usual anti-American car stance and admit that I think that thing looks sweet.

[SnakeCharmer]

Eh, that is why Germans and Italians design the best looking cars while the Japanese build the ones that last the longest.  American cars?  Bleh.

The wife's Mercedes SUV has a plastic molded front bumper, rear bumper, and side skirts on it - and there's a reason for it.  Roughly the same amount of plastic interior trim pieces as my old Grand Cherokee. 

[Sky]

 

[DraconianOne]

Pics from Tough Guy 2009 which took place this Sunday just gone:









Last one is not for the faint of heart and shouldn't really be in this thread but goes with these pics.

These all come from the Boston Globe website and the page has another 15 more.  They're without doubt some of the best pictures I've seen taken from this event over the last few years.

[DraconianOne]

I really like this one too. Captures the spirit of the event.

[Raging Turtle]

Aaahh I was just coming here to post the Borat speedo one.  I'd love to take part in an event like that. 

[MrHat]

Aaahh I was just coming here to post the Borat speedo one.  I'd love to take part in an event like that. 

Because of the use of Borat speedos?

[Raging Turtle]

Don't judge me.   

I actually find the whole 'running across fields of fire' more interesting. 

[DraconianOne]

Don't judge me.  

I actually find the whole 'running across fields of fire' more interesting. 

Do you live in the UK?

It's not actually a field of fire - there's one section where there are hay bales on fire that the runners have to jump over before taking a plunge into trenchs full of freezing, extremely muddy cold water.

[Signe]

We thought of moving to Centralia, PA, so we can actually LIVE on top of fire.  The kitties said no.

[voodoolily]

We thought of moving to Centralia, PA, so we can actually LIVE on top of fire.  The kitties said no.

That's where Silent Hill takes place!

[Hawkbit]

Not exactly, but it was used as the base theme for the movie. 

Scary fucking place, really.  Sinkholes into fire, all that jazz.  Government offered (recommended) evacuation in the 70s, but a few people still live there. 

There's a coal fire that's been burning underground in Australia for thousands of years.  Centralia's is just a babe comparatively. 

[DraconianOne]

There's a coal fire that's been burning underground in Australia for thousands of years.  Centralia's is just a babe comparatively. 

That's no coal fire, it's just one fucking long-lasting barbecue.

[Cylus]

For the car nuts besides me:

2010 Camaro 'Black' Version.  Other than the flat black hood, DO WANT.

Actually prefer the look of the Earnhardt Jr. concept (aside from the name, heh) to the Black and other concepts that they launched.  Paint scheme just seems to set it off better than the stripes, hockey sticks or other alterations.  Been gravitating between the Camaro or a recent 350Z purchase sometime this year, although time will tell (never would have considered the Z until I drove my roomy's '05 a bunch...and yea, a 350, not a 370).

[NiX]

That Earnhardt concept is sexy. The only small gripe I have is them using the door to "cut" the skirt colour, but that's just me.

[Nebu]

I'd rather this one, personally.