Interesting discussion, I've often felt the same way about computer science research on twitter where I find oddly very little discussion. Besides the fact that having more followers will obviously I think part of the reason is the medium. Twitter is inherently short message based. Long discussions can be had but only where each idea can be expressed in 140 characters. It's great for political debate, real scientific debate is a bit harder. Another reason could be why people are there. As someone said, twitter doesn't work well with most people's work process, so it's a fun place to chat quickly when you are not focussing on something else. I've seen people complaining they can't get scientifici discussions going on LinkedIn too, same problem, people don't go there for long discussions, they go to up date the CV. I think blogs are a better place for these kinds of discussions and even g+ which allows the random exploration and quick answers of twitter but makes it easy to provide longer answers and to track responses from others.
This is a great idea. It would inspire more young people to go into science and engineering; it would help a demoralized research establishment in Canada which sees cuts and anti-science government on the horizon; and it would help Canada prepare for a new multi-polar world where we can't rely riding the coattail of the USA all the time. Building a specific project gives research focus and leads to advances no one expected.
depending on the numbers a Lib-NDP coalition could rule more stably even with a minority. The Bloc would agree with them more than they do the conversavtives even if they are not part of a coalition, so they will get more done. As long as the conservatives don't try to obstruct using their unelected senate majority, ahem.
he can't know the answer until he sees the numbers can he? He can't rule it out, its a perfectly legitimate option given a minority parliament, as Harper talking to the NDP and Bloc demonstrates, as the ruling UK coalition demostrates using the exact same system as us. Why should he disavow it OR promise he will form a coalition. It really depends on the outcome of the election. That's all he should say, "it depends, we'll see what happens. I want to win a majority. But we will do what we can to form a government that represents the largest number of voters that we can after we see the results of the election. The Canadian voter is in charge here."
they are really voting for their local member of parliament to represent their interests in whatever way they judge to be most appropriate once they get to ottawa. That's how our system works.
exactly. This could include a minority rule as Harper has or a coalition if the numbers warrant it, but it is up to voters to decide by how much we support the parties.
but apps decide which is essential and which isn't do they not? If some app says it needs that data you don't have the choice to hide just that data, you can't use the app at all. Of course this is still a choice, but its not just complete control for the user.
question: does an existing app someone is using need to get further security approval from a user to take advantage of this new information? ie. do they default to not have access to this info if the user was already using the app before this announcement
hint: the answer better be yes.
I'm sure all of us Canucks (present), Americans and Brits get the joke. But there are different approaches to what is acceptable, and I feel the 'you can never be too careful' approach started in the US with their reaction to 9/11. I have to say I would be slightly less shocked about this happening in a US court, but I would be shocked none the less and I think its very important he appeal again and make sure this doesn't stand. Although I bet it will lead to a lot of good humour from UK comedians in the coming weeks.
and I *am* Canadian and I assume your dig at us is a joke because our humour is much more british than american. There would be outrage here over this I think. I'm sure he'll be able to raise enough money for an appeal in an afternoon if he wants to go on with it. So far Stephen Fry has promised to pay his fines.
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Mark Crowley 
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