Brian Gongol
(6.18.2005)
Why People Don't Bother Voting (at Least in the UK)
Largely the "Why bother?" factor
(6.18.2005)
Model Suggests Phosphorus Can Kill Lakes for Centuries
Problem is, we have to add it to the soil in order to grow sufficient food -- it's one of the big three nutrients, along with potassium and nitrogen. Too much of it running off into lakes can kill everything there. Related: Insects can build resistance to biotech traits if those traits aren't carried out sufficiently.
(6.18.2005)
Is Humanity's Future to Change Other Planets?
One thing is certain: For the species and our successors to survive in the ultra-long run, we're going to have to spread out beyond Earth, because either something is going to hit the planet or the Sun's going to burn out (though that'll take five billion years).
(6.18.2005)
Microsoft Trying to Figure Out Right Strategy to Compete with Open-Source
(6.18.2005)
Highly Critical Analysis of US Government's Failures in Internet Security
(6.18.2005)
Google PageRank Patent Filed
(6.18.2005)
Robot Goes Nutty, Barges in on Cancer Patient During Exam
(6.18.2005)
London to Send Out Air Pollution Warnings Via Mobile Phones
(6.18.2005)
Pac-Man Turns 25
(6.18.2005)
Utility Company Ships Carbon Dioxide in Pipeline to Oil Fields, Where it Displaces Petroleum
Makes the petroleum flow easier, and traps the carbon dioxide underground instead of releasing it into the atmosphere
(6.18.2005)
Company Says it Can Print Solar Cells
Would slash the cost and time required to make solar-power collectors. Conventional manufacturing means most solar cells just aren't cost-efficient for most applications
(6.18.2005)
Google Plans PayPal Rival This Year
(6.18.2005)
Another Major Tsunami in Indian Ocean Will Happen
Question is when, and it's full of uncertainty: 20 years? 200 years? It's urgent that we improve our understanding of disaster notification methods and disaster aid as swiftly as possible.
(6.18.2005)
MasterCard Says Credit-Card Processing Firm Had a Huge Security Breach
Data on estimated 40 million cardholders exposed to potential fraud. The ironic part is that it doesn't matter if an individual never used the Internet to buy anything; their information was just as at-risk as that belonging to hard-core eBay fanatics. Related: Now mobile-phone companies are trying to turn the cell phone into a digital wallet.
(6.18.2005)
Microsoft Caves to Chinese Pressure, Censors Websites
Users of the Chinese edition of MSN Spaces (a weblogging tool) can't write "freedom," "democracy," "demonstration," "human rights," or "Taiwan independence." A worthwhile question is whether a company like Microsoft is soiling its own bed by acting as an accomplice to restrict freedom in one country when it only succeeded because it enjoyed those same freedoms in its home country. Another would be to evaluate whether the push for commercial freedom can withstand setbacks like this one and still result in greater political freedom in the long run. Don't think MSN only censors the Chinese: Spaces censors American weblogs, too.
(6.18.2005)
The Trouble with E-Mail: Stupid Arguments Never Go Away
Office fight over a dry-cleaning bill becomes a globally-forwarded joke. Related: Companies are increasingly firing employees for looking at dirty pictures on company time.
(6.18.2005)
Another Set of Huge Microsoft Security Holes Discovered
Time for yet another trip to windowsupdate.microsoft.com. They do at least get credit for taking hackers seriously.
(6.18.2005)
Audio Cassette Tapes: Dead
Only major market remaining is books on tape. Sales of tapes in Britain now under 1 million units a year. Largest tape factory in the US is closed.
(6.18.2005)
Run-Off Presidential Election in Iran Between Moderate Former Prez and Hard-Liner
(6.18.2005)
Now It's Britain's Turn to Kick the EU While It's Down
UK doesn't like sending the EU more funding than it gets back. France calls that "pathetic." The whole system contains too much socialism to work in the long run.
(6.18.2005)
Archaeologists Figure Egypt Was Making Glass 3,000 Years Ago
New evidence that the society was more advanced than previously thought. Large-scale glass production was a sign of technological achievement.
(6.18.2005)
France, Japan in Talks to Build New Supsersonic Passenger Jet
(6.18.2005)
10-Passenger Jet Shown Off at Paris Air Show
Can take off and land from unimproved runways (like grass strips). An unmanned assault aircraft was also on display.
(6.18.2005)
Goodyear Blimp Crashes in Coral Springs, Florida
Ran into thunderstorm, which airships generally don't handle well due to the enormous surface area they cover and low speeds at which they travel. The crash takes out one of three Goodyear blimps in operation. The crashed blimp, the Stars and Stripes, is regularly based in southern Florida. Goodyear used to mass-produce airships for border and maritime surveillance, a use being wisely re-considered today. Airships previously in use by the Navy were also lost to storms. Sanyo also operates a corporate blimp.
(6.18.2005)
Inside North Korea
Eye-opening article about just how closed the country is -- even for those well-versed in the ridiculousness of the North Korean propaganda agency
(6.18.2005)
House Votes "No" on Re-Authorizing "Library Provision" to Patriot Act
At least a temporary victory for civil liberties. Sunset provisions are really the way to go for all major legislation -- make the politicians justify their decisions every 5 to 10 years, and see just how much they can stand accountable for