Brian Gongol
(2006.04.25)
Japanese Government Subsidizes Speed Dating
They're worried about the country's declining birthrate, which is half of the reason Japan's population is declining. Of course, population increase is most important to a nation dependent upon a government-based social welfare system for the elderly.
(2006.04.25)
New Holes Found in Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer
The threat to Firefox isn't fully known (it's at least a nuisance, but it may be worse than that), and the IE flaw is definitely bad, leaving users vulnerable to drive-by downloads. Unsurprisingly, JavaScript is part of the problem. Webmasters who rely upon JavaScript are asking for trouble.
(2006.04.25)
House Member Blocks Federal Monument to Flight 93
While it sure isn't a stand that wins over much popular opinion, Rep. Charles Taylor of North Carolina appears to be standing on principle by opposing a $10 million project to buy the land where Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania on 9/11. Taylor is taking a thoughtful stand on an emotional issue, which is almost never a fun place to be. But with the government already $4.8 trillion in debt, worthwhile projects like a Flight 93 memorial could reasonably be asked to find their funding elsewhere. The Washington Monument was originally funded through private dollars, not public.
(2006.04.25)
Giving the Enemy the Tongue
Researchers are trying to figure out how to deliver non-taste sensory information through the tongue. The "Brain Port" reportedly delivered sonar-like information to blind users who were then able to navigate doorways and catch flying objects. The peacetime uses and wartime applications are equally intriguing.
(2006.04.25)
MySpace Use Overwhelms College Computer Network
Del Mar College, a community college in Texas, has blocked MySpace from its networks because demand for the site from users on its network was occupying 40% of their resources and interfering with online course delivery.