Articles


PocketMac releases Sony PSP Sync

Sony released the PSP in the US just short while ago and now the folks at PocketMac (who make third-party synchronization software for hardware that Apple doesn't directly support in iSync) has released PMPSP, a product with great function and a horrible name. However, despite the bad name, it'll sync …



Peter O'Toole slams Troy

The Scotsman has an article about an interview with Peter O'Toole about the movie Troy (in which he starred with Brad Pitt) where he tells it like it is about the film.


Hackers turn to the Mac

Here's an entry from the blog of Paul Graham (author, language designer, and self- described hacker) about the move to Macs by hackers. And in this case, we're talking the old-school hackers, those of us who like to get inside, figure out how things work, and make something new out …

Deep Impact is a bit out of focus

Saying that the focusing problem wouldn't adversely affect the mission to visit comet Tempel 1 in July, NASA announced that Deep Impact (launched in January) has a focusing problem. This according to an article from SpaceToday.Net

FUD: Security Marketing 101

Now, I'd be just about the first person in line to claim that people don't take security seriously enough on computers. However, Symantec may well have reached new heights in the use of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) to promote the sale of product. A number of articles, such as …

Counting on cable and wireless

Well, it appears that the over-zealous FCC is once again on the verge of diminishing choice and competition in an area that has been dominated by monopolies for years. An article from CNet this morning discusses the likely overriding of state laws that currently require (in some jurisdictions) the incumbent …

Will HDTV shape careers?

Of course it will... silly question. However, this article from On HD purports to provide a list of who looks better and who looks worse on HDTV. I'm sure it'll raise some controversy (although it appears they were careful to make sure the "bad" women are outnumbered by the "good …


13 things that don't make sense

There's a cool article in New Scientist about 13 observed phenomena that do not currently jive with their believed explanations. It's a good read and touches on things as varied as the placebo effect to dark matter to the conflicting results of tests for life on Mars. It offers no …

Fly 'em if you've got them?

An article from the International Herald Tribune advocates using those frequent flier miles before they become even more difficult to use. Although I don't entirely agree, I will concur with his assessment that the best way to spend them is on premium-class international flights. They're where you'll get your best …

The Vatican responds to the DaVinci Code

While Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code has been busy selling 25 million copies in 44 countries, the Vatican has been pretty quiet about it... until now. According to an article from the International Herald Tribune, officials at the Vatican, including one possible successor to the Pope, are now speaking …

External SATA specs debut

According to an article from ExtremeTech, SATA-IO, the organization that runs the Serial ATA specification, has announced extensions to allow for 2m and 8m cable lengths as well as locking connectors for use on external devices.

AOL explains privacy stance on AIM/iChat

AOL, the world's largest ISP and foremost purveyor of instant messaging, has made a change to their Terms of Service to "clarify certain things and explain it a little better to our users" about their privacy rules for AOL, according to a report from eWeek. The whole issue comes about …


My latest patent published

In 2003, I applied for a patent for a relatively interesting use of RFID in vehicle parts management. Said patent application has been making its way through the process and is now a published application. At this point, the patent is available for review and comment before it finally gets …

License to Ebay

Money magazine has an article describing a new law passed in Ohio that may require residents of that state to become licensed auctioneers ($200 license fee, 1 year apprenticeship, $50,000 bond) to sell items through online auctions. The law was intended to regulate auctioneers in Ohio to prevent them …

The Star Trek patent defense

In another interesting approach to fighting recent software (and hardware, for that matter) patents, one CNet reader has written in to extoll the virtues of the Star Trek Defense. Although less likely to win you the case than to gain some laughter (and perhaps sympathy) from the jury, the approach …