karl3@writeme.com wrote: > karl3@writeme.com wrote: > > karl3@writeme.com wrote: > > > > > the xkcd for monday was something called "sawstart", a horrible idea > > > > > that randall likely wrote as a subtle mistake stemming in nerdiness, > > > > > possibly not unknown > > > > > the sawstart is in the inverse of a sawstop, it is a special saw that > > > > > starts cutting when touched by a human hand o_o yes shows randall > > > > > getting some of the zombies again > > > > > the interesting parts of the sawstart are: > > > > - it's somewhat hard to implement > > > > - it surprises people > > > > - it's a twist on normal expectations > > > > > > > > but it's severely dangerous to build for fun :/ it's a horrible idea! > > > > > > what could be made that is nicer than the sawstart? > > > > > > also the list archives page has stopped correctly sorting, i have to > > > scroll a bit to find my latest posts/spams > > > > so, it's reasonable to make somethat that activates when touched. this is > > commonly done for touchscreens on devices: note, touchscreens are not > > metal, which makes it harder. > > > > what about a saw that stopped without a guard? it still seems kinda > > dangerous :s > > > > but we could use an explosive charge like they do in the comic, to stop a > > saw right before a human touches it > > > > for actual safety all possible avenues of failure would need review, not > > only to prevent failure but also to leave margins of safety > > arright mister zombie what is going on > > did you read a webcomic while being attacked by zombies and they somehow used > it to make you more zombielike
the idea of the saw that safely stops can be done safely! you'd apply the error margins to testing it. you'd start with things like slow-moving paper and putty --