tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-222130112011-04-22T04:10:49.496+05:30Anand Kesarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15530253945464019091noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213011.post-1168959241982174382007-01-16T20:00:00.000+05:302007-01-16T20:34:25.333+05:30Would it be unreasonable to expect that evolutionary forces will ultimately make chicken want to be eaten? By us? How do we know that is not already the case?<br /><br />In a way that is different from other predator-prey relationships, it seems reasonable to assume that human beings have the capability to ensure the proliferation of a species which isn't on the brink of extinction (think poultry). The devices of modern science can ensure a rate of growth of these species, which would far exceed what would be possible in an uncontrolled environment. Certain genes would thrive; Prof. D nods.<br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">Arthur: I just don't want to eat an animal that's standing there inviting me to. It's heartless.<br />Zaphod: Better than eating an animal that doesn't want to be eaten.<br /></span></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/22213011-116895924198217438?l=anandkesari.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Anand Kesarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15530253945464019091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22213011.post-1168957113447168612007-01-16T19:09:00.000+05:302007-01-16T19:57:01.806+05:30My Canon battery pack (BP511A) died on me recently at a rather critical moment. It now charges from 0% to 100% in less than an hour, and goes dry in less than 30 shots. This left me quite perplexed, considering I had been quite careful with the way I handled the battery pack: no extremes of temperature or humidity, never been jarred or charged using the a third-party charger.<br /><br /><a href="http://notaweblog.blogspot.com/">Spadix</a> introduced me to the concept of storing with 40% charge and pointed me to the excellent <a href="http://batteryuniversity.com/">Battery University</a> website.<br /><br />Storing modern Li-ion batteries at near-zero charge is risky because they apparently contain a critical life-support circuit which may drain the last mC. Once this happens, it's death with no possibility of resuscitation.<br /><br />At the other extreme, Battery University discourages users from storing Li-ion packs with a full charge. The optimum is 40% charge, a level which is conveniently indicated by one of the LED patterns on the charger.<br /><br />It doesn't seem like a good idea to waste precious shutter cycles on a camera to discharge the battery to safe levels before a period of hibernation. Discharging by shorting or via a resistor seems positively risky.<br /><br />So then, happily, the only safe course of action that comes to mind is to keep shooting.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/22213011-116895711344716861?l=anandkesari.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Anand Kesarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15530253945464019091noreply@blogger.com1