Sorry

I posted the previous four articles on their listed dates, but had to quickly remove them due to grammatical/technical errors.

I forgot to repost them until recently. Please enjoy them, as much hard work has gone into each post.

Thanks,
Pete

Leopard: Sleek New Mac Software or Why CW Succumbs to Frequently Advertising New Apple Products

October 2007 marks the date of the new operating system upgrade for Mac OSX (Operating System Ten) users.

Part five of the feline family of Apple's revolutionary operating system, Leopard (OSX 10.5) continues with the intuitive program line that made the newer Macs famous and bites back with a few new advancements and programs of its own.

Time Machine: For all of those clumsy and forgetful users, Leopard introduces a new program that allows users to go back in time. If you happen to accidentally erase or lose a file, you can click on this application to search through past transactions and restore the file to your hard drive. It's perfect for deleted papers and presentations.

Spaces: Tired of having a messy desktop? With spaces, you can organize your open windows into groups. When you want to switch window groupings, you simply tab through the spaces and find the necessary project. You have the flexibility to drag and drop groups into a certain order and you choose what applications are filed into groups. Clicking on an open application in the dock takes you directly to that application's group. This truly is the epitome of multi-tasking to the max.

Dashcode: Those familiar with the Dashboard application introduced in the previous OSX incarnation (OSX 10.4 Tiger) will be pleased to find they are not limited to working with the preloaded widgets or those offered on the Apple website. Dashcode allows users to make their own widgets, whether it is a podcast or an original creation. And with this new technology comes the ability to turn a favorite website into a miniature version by clipping it and making it a widget as well.

Other featured application tweaks are included in Mail, iChat, Spotlight, and iCal.

The new Mac OS uses seamless Core Animation, making application graphics run smoothly. The new animation also allows software developers to try their hand at creating new projects, even if they only know basic commands. With all of these cutting-edge features, Leopard appears to be another great product from Apple.



Information from this post was obtained from the Apple Web site.

Got the Munchies? Take a Bite Out of Something That's Truly Tasty.

4/20. Del.icio.us. No, it's not food, rather a new way to keep bookmarks to your favorite Web sites organized on-line so you can pull them up on more than one computer. Taking a strong hint from the professor a few class periods ago, I decided to test-drive and give somewhat of a wordy review of this Internet innovation.

The site, which markets itself as "social bookmarking," allows users to consolidate often-used Internet sites and pages on one, easy-to-use database. Going on a road trip anytime soon? Don't bring the computer if you are just looking to surf the net. Just login to your del.icio.us account on any available Mac or PC and you've got all of the comforts of home at your fingertips.

In fact, it's a Safari-based Web site, meaning it is optimized for Mac users, like me (I found this to be a very good quality). For those not using Safari, del.icio.us gives equally helpful alternative instructions for Firefox, Opera, and Explorer.

Registration is relatively easy. The first step asks for things such as a username, password, and an e-mail address--a no-brainer. The second asks the user to drag two icons--labeled "post to del.icio.us" and "my del.icio.us"--into his bookmarks (for Safari registration, anyway), which is almost as quick and painless. A mere button tutorial is listed as the third step, which gives the user the option of saving the current page to their account ("post to ...") or viewing his saved pages ("my ...").

I tried out the buttons on the common "facebook" site. Upon getting to that page, I clicked the "post to" button, which activated a page that asked what I should name it and if I wanted to "tag" it. I decided to forgo the tag and just save it to my account. Upon checking my saved sites, I found "Facebook | Welcome to Facebook" sitting alone on my page, although apparently 6164 individuals had already saved it as a link as well.

Seeing my lonely "facebook" link made me a bit trigger-happy, and by the end of it all I had five other items on my del.icio.us page. I felt it was a waste of time manually clicking on individual pages I had previously bookmarked on my computer and adding them to my account.

To solve this, I went to the "settings" link on my account's page and scrolled down to the "Bookmarks" section. From there, I clicked "Import/Upload" button, which took me to a page that said to click "Export Bookmarks" from my "File" menu. After that, I uploaded my Safari bookmarks to the page and clicked the "Import Bookmarks" button.

It quickly loaded the bookmarks onto del.icio.us, and I was onto the new task: trying it out on another computer. I went on my roommate's Dell (without asking, mind you), used Firefox to log in to my account and found that all of the bookmarks I had uploaded from the Big Mac were there.

Overall, I was pleased with the smooth operation of the Web site. My biggest concerns were my bookmarks were not listed alphabetically (which I am still trying to do) and the layout of the page was a bit messy. Aside from that, I found del.icio.us to be a very easy-to-use technological advancement.



Information for this post was obtained from my use of the del.icio.us Web site.

Are Compact Motor Cars Truly a Mark of Intelligence?

As the world grows more environmentally conscious, people want to contribute their part in being more "green-friendly." Using fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescents, halting use of spray-cans containing CFCs, and downsizing automobiles are various ways people have reduced pollutants.

But when talking cars, how small is too small?

Take the German-bred "smart" car for instance. Shorter than a standard golf cart, the tiny automobile was originally developed in 1998 for easier parallel parking. According to Wikipedia.org, Swatch (the Swiss watch company) jokingly designed the car to "transport two people and a case of beer."

The name “smart” is an acronym for Swatch Mercedes Art according to Wikipedia.org—the only intelligent indication about the car. Though the vehicle is quite gas conserving—averaging 40 miles per gallon—its price tag is far from the originally desired amount.

While developing the compact heart for the miniature marvel, Swatch pulled out of the project due to the estimated cost of the “smart’s” engine. The total product markets for around $30,000—more than roomier, even more gas-conscious hybrids. DaimlerChrysler, the company that finally went through manufacturing and marketing the “smart” car, has had to discontinue several of its “smart” models, as the motorcar has proved to be more of a financial setback than gain.

The only country where the “smart” car is in high demand is Canada, where the car is sold in the less environmentally friendly diesel format. As of now, the “smart” car has yet to be released in the United States, although DaimlerChrysler plans to unveil it in 2008, according to Wikipedia.org.

Why would someone pay $30,000 for a car with a top-speed of 80 mph and a maximum capacity of two people when he could get away with a more comfortable, fuel-efficient vehicle with for less money that is capable of going 40 mph faster? It would have to be for the eye-catching design, because any other reason for buying that car would be seemingly dim.



Information for this post was obtained from the Wikipedia article "smart (automobile)."

Feel the Nice, Blubbery Warmth

Bulky and sleek. Antique and modern. Analog and digital.

These opposites have somehow found their common ground in new stereo accessories for the iPod. British developers have been working on vacuum tube docking stations and amplifiers designed specifically for use with Apple's popular mp3 player.

This incorporation of old world technology in the present age is not a new idea by any means. Many guitarists currently use instrument-specific tube amplifiers and praise them over their solid-state brethren. To them, a tube amplifier captures the natural sound of the electric guitar and brings forth nuances often pushed aside by more modern methods of amplification.

Other stereos made specifically for the iPod have used solid-state technology, which audiophiles say lacks the warm, creamy tangibility of tubes. To please discerning ears, Roth Audio developed two models of their tube-driven systems: the Cocoon MC4 and the iTube Fatman.

“The cocoon goes well on a desktop while the Fatman is more for the living room,” according to James Roth, managing director of Roth Audio.

The Cocoon MC4 is an all-in-one docking station and amplifier with volume control and an on/off knob powered by four tubes. The iTube Fatman is a two-piece system that hosts the docking station on one part and the brain of the stereo on the other. The Fatman has additional inputs for auxiliary devices, an S-video output (for TV hookup), comes with a remote, and features a cool, interactive tube with a bouncing green light to indicate the system’s volume.

Both audio systems cost $649—more than the cost of a tube guitar amplifier with comparable wattage—which may be unwanted distortion to some ears. Still, music buffs are likely to weigh sound quality over cost.

“If you put an iPod into a docking station with good pre-amplification, it’s going to sound a lot better than putting it into a cheap one,” said David Chesky, a composer and co-owner of Chesky Records in Manhattan, which uses vacuum-tube-based recording equipment.



Information for this post was obtained from Anne Eisenberg's article "The iPod and the Vacuum Tube Sing a Warm Duet."

Turning Pests into Protection--A Cute and Cuddly Story Featuring Some Very Rigid Critters

Scientists have been trying to innovate the American national security by using the last thing everyday people would expect--common wildlife. Thus far, research has meant asking for the assistance of three animals in particular: bluegill fish, bees, and roaches.

Through regular testing and use, these critters have proven themselves a valuable asset not only to the scientific community, but also to a country that regards itself as second to none in technology.

Bluegill fish are already being put to work in reservoirs in Maryland, New York and California because they can detect impurities in the water. Something such as an increase in harmful water parasites can be picked up quickly by the bluegills, who react by drastically changing their vital organs.

The fine print here is that these guys are a bit trigger-happy--any slight impurity will set off changes in the fish. Because of this, the fish are closely monitored and tested to find whether the warning signal was a false alarm.

The expensive bomb-sniffing dog techniques currently used may be made obsolete by a fleet of flying insects that do the same job--for around $15,000 cheaper. According to Seiff, the bees can be trained to sniff out bombs for pennies on the dollar and actually outperform their canine competition. Carrying around a minion of bees in a jar can be somewhat intimidating, as the flying beasts do not come across as loving as dogs may.

Roaches may be considered nasty scavenging creatures, which is why scientists originally picked them up. Apparently, the common cockroach unknowingly carries around traces of whatever it scurries over, making it valuable in the sense that researchers can catch one and see what particles are in the area.

Ay, there's the rub. Releasing a few roaches into a building to check for toxins isn't a problem, but scientists will struggle over attempting to capture the insects, who also happen to be very good hiders. After all, roaches happen to be a recurring household pest for a reason.



Information for this post was obtained from Abby Seiff's article "Bugging Out on Homeland Security."

Just a Bit Skewed Up, Part Two: Other Rather Lovely Lies

This concludes the "Just a Bit Skewed Up" mini-series, with a look at odd scientific discoveries that don't deal with food (if you want that, you can scroll down the page to find that post).

1. Stark Naked Under the Sun

During the summer of 2006, researchers said that lying out without wearing sunscreen was actually good for people because it gave them a boost of Vitamin D. The scientists found that the D helped protect against certain skin cancers (specifically melanoma) and helped fight the disease in people who already had it.

They didn't specify, however, that in order to get a healthy amount of the vitamin without burning the skin, the maximum amount of time spent unprotected under the sun should be between 15 and 20 minutes. Any more and you run the risk of receiving those dreaded sunburns--the most common cause of potentially deadly skin cancer. So don't throw out the SPF 30 just yet.

2. Congratulations! Go Ahead and Pat Yourself on the Back.

Canada's CBC News reported last December on the positive effects of playing video games. Research showed gamers felt a "sense of accomplishment" after winning a few rounds of their personal virtual adventures.

The twist here is that you don't have to stay locked up in the house all day with a few hundred dollars of computer equipment. The same self-esteem boost attained from playing video games can be found in participating in outdoor activities, such as competitive sports.

3. How Often Did You Take Out the Trash to Get Knockers Like Those?

Want healthy breasts? Do some work around the house and you won't have to worry about breast cancer, according to Weekend Australian. "This study found that increased household activity seemed to reduce breast cancer among middle-aged and older women."

Daily exercise is just as effective, if not more, than performing household chores--an issue overlooked by the researchers in the study. Besides, for many it may break the monotony of sweeping and mopping floor after floor in a large home.

4. Why Get Glad? Get Mad.

Fear and anger were two of the most common expressions dealt with in a frustrating numbers study reported The Toronto Star. And people who became angry released less of the stress hormone that those who reacted in fear/hesitancy to the confusing countdown. People who reacted in anger made a healthier choice overall because they did not spike their stress levels, unlike those who were "afraid of screwing up."

The study did not mention the dangers of being an angry person. Releasing a little anger a little now and then is very healthy, but resorting to anger most of the time can raise blood pressure and cause problems for the cardiovascular system. Limiting angry outbursts is a healthy alternative to running into blood pressure complications later in life.



Information for this post was obtained from Jason Daley's article "The Science Behind the Hype.

Just a Bit Skewed Up, Part One: Charlie's Cardio Chocolate Diet--Fabrications from the Food Industry.

Many of scientific discoveries are obscure and may seem implausible or a bit skewed. The cases discussed in this post are the latter. The articles featuring these "breakthrough" research findings range from July 21, 2003, to Dec. 6, 2006, and were featured in magazines and newspapers found on the U.S.'s east coast, Canada, and the U.K.

1. The Diabetes-Fighting Brew.

By Oct. 2006, Harvard researchers found that drinking coffee daily would shave your chances of getting Type 2 Diabetes by a third. Sounds great if diabetes runs in the family.

Unfortunately, you would have to drink at least 6 cups of joe daily in order to prevent this devastating disorder. Caffeine, anyone?

2. Astounding Alcohol.

A. According to Britain's The Sun, the antioxidant flavonoid-packed Guinness beer was three times as likely as a lighter lager in preventing the clotting of blood platelets in lab tests.

The problem that this was not tested in humans, rather scientists injected dogs with the two kinds of beer. The issue that needs to be addressed here is cruelty to animals, not the unproven platelet theory.

B. Another U.K. reader, The Express, published an article on the age-yielding effects of resveratrol, found in red wine. The lab tests involved overweight white mice, who, when given a dosage of the compound, became energized and gained a 20 percent increase in their lifespan.

Cool, except for the fact that you would have to drink 750 bottles of red wine a day in order to feel any substantial effect.

3. Identity Crisis

A. Hate cancer? Indulge once a week with a pizza and you could prevent the digestive varieties of the disease. With research and a study on Italian life, Silvano Gallus found that people who ate pizza around twice a fortnight were less likely to contract cancers of the oral, esophageal, colon, and rectal varieties.

That is, if they do as the Romans do. Pizzas of the Italian make, with olive oil, mozzarella cheese and fresh tomatoes, are a great deal healthier than their fattening American cousins.

B. Again with the flavonoids. The flavonoids found in chocolate have been found to protect the cardiovascular system. This is true, but the tests were short-term and used high-cocoa dark chocolate, not that of Hershey's chocolate bars or some other high-sugar candy.

Popsci.com says, "Enjoy chocolate in moderation, but don't imagine that it's a health food the way green leafy veggies are."



Information for this post was obtained from Jason Daley's article "The Science Behind the Hype."

Would You Like an Apple with That?

With the increase of new electronic toys like HDTV sets, companies like Sony have tried to reinvent the way we watch movies through the creation of Blu-Ray Disc and HD DVD. The problem here is that these new versions of the still spry DVD require the purchase of very costly players—and a format makeover to your movie library.

In steps Apple with its brainchild, AppleTV, that will play your existing films using wireless technology. If only it did just that.

The $299 sophomoric effort (outside of computer technology) from Apple contains a 40GB hard drive that stores the movies and music you choose to sync from your iTunes-enabled computer, plays slideshows of photo albums stored on your Mac or PC on the boob tube and is capable of recording several episodes of a TV show you missed.

The one-inch thin AppleTV cuts the clutter the competition has on the Hi-Def market, but at what cost? It is arguable that the new device does too much. However, with the direction cell phones and digital music players are headed, AppleTV proves otherwise.

Another fault of the TiVo/DVD/iPod mutt is that in order to use it, you need two very expensive pieces of equipment: an up-to-date computer (with iTunes installed) and a High Definition widescreen television. Purchasing the AppleTV is a rotten deal if you lack either one of these things. The five-button (1st generation) iPod Shuffle-style remote also leaves much tangibility to be desired.

Maybe the evolution of "electronica" is approaching too quickly for its own good. It would be nice to know a piece of equipment bought 20 minutes ago would still be considered in vogue a year later.



Information from this post was obtained from the Apple Web site and from the Wikipedia article on AppleTV.

Gettin' It On and Gettin' Outta There: A Case of the Deadbeat Dad No More

Sex--Spiders have it, too. It produces life and also takes it away, for many female spiders devour their male counterparts after intercourse.

That is why it was thought the reason male spiders often left pieces of their genitalia behind was due to make a quick getaway (to avoid being the post-sex munchies).

A new study, conducted by the University of Bonn, Germany, shows that the detached sex organ prevents other males from having sex with the same female. It ensures no competition will interfere with the original male's lineage.

According to Gabriele Uhl, one of the researchers, the study also slightly debunks the idea of a quickie in hopes of saving a life.

Male spiders have two independent sets of sex organs that allow them to reproduce (say it really fast). In layman's terms, the males can have sex twice before they are no good to do anymore damage. After that, males are less likely to flee, as their main purpose in life is to reproduce. The study shows that second-timers practically offer themselves up as a snack.

Generally, the quick run is only pulled-off by the first-time "inseminators," seeing themselves as having a bit more love to give. But even they are not excused from the appetite of the exhausted and much larger females.

Maybe human wives would prefer their useless husbands to owe up to their shortcomings, as well.



Information for this post was obtained from Roxanne Khamsi's article "'Chastity Belts' Block Rival Sperm in Female Spiders."

A Helpful Virus?: Requiem for the Energizer Bunny

The evolution of the battery (along with other technology) has made it possible for the birth of such energy-hungry devices as laptop computers, cellular phones, and iPods.

However revolutionary these batteries may be, consumers can agree that they are still pretty chunky. In fact, most of the weight from cells and laptops can be attributed to the heft of their batteries. The removal of the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery from a modern Nokia reveals that its power source is much heavier than the remaining phone.

To cut the unnecessary weight, researchers have decided it's time to get viral.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing a new Lithium-ion battery containing the active M13 virus. This new rechargeable power source is thin, lightweight, and translucent.

"You could laminate on the battery just like you would a picture," says Angela Belcher, the leading scientist in the MIT project.

What about the fact of having a virus attached to your precious purchase? According to MIT, the virus is completely harmless (to humans and electronic devices) and holds "more than three times the energy of a conventional electrode" because of its breakthrough design.

The virus is genetically altered to interact with ions and soaked in conductor-rich metals, making the combination a small yet extremely mighty mixture.

Don't toss out the brick quite yet, though, as the M13-powered (ooh, doesn't that sound cool) battery will not be on the market for another five years.

Information for this post was obtained from Michael Stroh's article "Powered by Germs."

MENopause?

After many years spent believing men could produce offspring (so to speak) at any age, new studies show just the opposite.

According to research conducted by Doctors Harry Fisch and Larry Lipshultz, there exists a biological clock for males as well.

"Fertility will drop for some men, others will maintain their fertility but not to the same degree, and there is an increased risk of genetic abnormalities," says Fisch.

Some of the genetic abnormalities include autism and schizophrenia. Children born to men 40 or above are more likely to contract these problems than those of younger males.

Pamela Madsen, director of the American Fertility Association, stated, “I don’t see why everyone is so surprised. Everyone ages. Why would sperm cells be the only cells not to age as men get older?”

The overall view of the scientists researching this phenomenon is men need to be more aware of this issue and understand that they cannot wait forever to have children. Doing so would put their potential children at risk for serious medical complications.



Information for this post was obtained from Roni Rabin's article "It Seems the Fertility Clock Ticks for Men, Too."

The Evolution of the Yellow Submarine: Manifest Destiny, Part II

With the change of human “nomadism” from survival necessity to vacation activity, hotels have become more upscale to complement the area—if not, then to become the reason for travel.

Take Bruce Jones’ idea of creating a futuristic resort and placing it 40 feet underwater, for example. The 50-year-old president of U.S. Submarines decided it would be an improvement on the first underwater hotel (a cozy two bedroom, single bath dwelling off the coast of Florida’s Key Largo). According to Popsci.com, the complex would include a missile defense system, a mall, a wedding chapel, luxurious suites, a spa, and a rotating restaurant and bar.

The Poseidon Mystery Island, the resort’s moniker, will be located in a coral lagoon in Northeast Fiji and will cost around $105 million to build. To lower building costs, Jones and a crew of five engineers will construct the acrylic windows and ship them from Oregon to Fiji.

Interested in reserving a room? All of the suites will go for about $15 thousand a week, with the exception of the 1,200 square feet master suite, which runs for the other suites’ weekly price tags per night.

With his decision to claim a piece of the ocean in the name of commerce, Jones has failed to mention what environmental effects the Poseidon will have on the sea. As people become more earth-friendly through their use of hybrid-electric motorcars and their concern of the global warming issue, they are going to want to know whether or not the Poseidon is yet another detrimental blow to mother nature.



Information for this post was obtained from Michael Behar's article "1,200 Feet Under the Sea."

The Six Antagonists to Semi-Benign, Beneficial, Scientific Research or How I Learned to Love Consistency in the Biological Sector

While many scientists are trying to create vaccines for viruses that currently terrorize the public, a few are finding ways to resurrect illnesses that have long been extinct. Sounds just fine, right? According to Popular Science, six such cases are the anti-heroes to conventional biological research ideology--that is, to secure the growth and health of humanity first and foremost.

But maybe this security does exist in these ideas.

In addition to the resurrection of dead viruses, the research includes the ultimate caffeine pill, robotic infantry, an outer space sun block, the anti-domestication of wildlife, and regrowing lost appendages. What do these things have to offer? Endless possibilities, according to researchers.

Microbiologists say giving new life to archaic viruses provides them with two types of information. The first is to trace the history/origin of the epidemic, while the other is to track its evolution. Both pieces aid in the development of preventative methods for more current diseases.

Zombie enslavement is not the purpose of the new pill designed to keep the user awake for 20-hour periods. Rather, modafinil (the contents of the pill) was created to battle narcolepsy. It also works well for those who work dangerous jobs and must have full focus on their work.

The idea behind robots as soldiers is simple enough: to lower the number of human infantry.

Though wacky sounding, launching small spacecraft around Earth is the latest innovation in controlling global warming. The spacecraft would bend 1.8 percent of the sun's rays away from the planet, Popular Science says. It sounds somewhat tedious, but it could work.

Studying the extremes of animal traits is the goal of turning wildlife even more feral. The idea stemmed from the "ultimate tameness" experiments conducted in the 50s by Dmitry Belyaev.

What about regrowing a hand or foot? By today's standards, the current prosthetics employed are obsolete, as they lack true touch and dexterity. As Stephen Badylak, University of Pittsburgh, says, "We grow a whole human in nine months. A limb should be nothing!"



Information for this post was obtained from Laura Allen's article "The Scariest Ideas in Science."

Creativity and the Thieves Who Ruin It for Everyone

Microsoft users that have long been bashing Mac addicts for their "intuitional userface" will now bask in the glow of their fluorescent light fixtures. Too bad they have not yet discovered that true innovation means going out into the sunlight.


No more than a month ago, Microsoft began shipping its new operating system Windows Vista. The release of Vista meant the end to the longest time span between two versions of Windows--five years, to be exact.


During these five years, Bill Gates must have been using the Apple-based OS X because the similarities between the two operating systems are uncanny.


To name a few:


- "Windows Aero," Microsoft's reply to Apple's "Hot Corners" and "Exposé," is the new graphical interface that includes animated minimizing and enlarging windows, the ability to "flip" through windows, and fewer driver-related crashes.


- To jump on the "Widget"--or as Microsoft calls theirs "Gadget"--bandwagon, Vista introduces "Sidebar." Sidebar is a place to hold certain bits of information, such as the weather or other small programs. "Dashboard," anyone?


- "DVD Maker," a carbon copy of "iDVD," and a companion to "Movie Maker," a cheap, low-quality rip-off of "iMovie." 


- "Windows Calendar," the antagonist to Apple's "iCalendar."


- Even OS X's navigational tools, such as "Spotlight," are being emulated by Vista through "Windows Search," a way to quickly skim through files directly from the desktop.




Information for this post was obtained from the Wikipedia article "Windows Vista" and from the Microsoft "Windows Vista" Web Site.

Mars: A Delicious, Fun-sized Portion of the Solar Candy Bar Not Everyone Is Chewing

The Mars Society's (MS) idea of inhabiting the red planet is the new Manifest Destiny, with a twist. Instead of expanding upon their territory, the MS wants to leave Earth all together. This form of interplanetary barhopping is an example of nothing more than trashing one planet and ditching it for another, which will probably get trashed, too.

The founder of the MS, Robert Zubrin, has devised a five-step (misstated in the article) plan to make Mars inhabitable--within a mere millennium:

1. "Terraforming" or creating a palette for growth on the planet through warming the planet by means of either/or:
(a) Setting up large mirrors to reflect the sun's rays upon Mars
(b) Directing an asteroid in a collision course with the planet
(c) Inducing global warming by erecting chemical-emitting plants on Mars

2. Releasing CO2 from within the planet to accelerate the warming process

3. Establishing facilities that would grow vegetation

4. Reaping the vegetation

5. Continuing the farming cycle for 1,000 years

At Popsci.com, Zubrin makes a horrible comparison between himself and Christopher Columbus. Zubrin said many were skeptical of Columbus and his idea of a journey across the Atlantic, just like scientists now are not buying Durbin’s proposal of transitioning Mars from a barren wasteland to a livable planet within 1,000 years.

The problem with this comparison is that Columbus' voyage did not factually bring about much skepticism. It had been long discovered that Earth was a round planet by the time Columbus ventured. Even then, the places he went had already been discovered with fairly large populations living on that land.

Maybe this gross misrepresentation of historical evidence should send a sign to people everywhere.



Information from this post was obtained from Will Snyder's "Hijacking the Red Planet" and the Wikipedia article on Christopher Columbus.

Wear You At?: A Story About the Dangers of Stalking and a Very Pricey Pair of Sneakers You Would Never Want to Steal

If you happen to misplace one of your siblings in the next month, you may be lucky (or unlucky) enough to find him again.

That is, if he is wearing the latest in footwear technology.

Isaac Daniel, founder of the new footwear line Quantum Satellite Technology, is pleased to announce a revolutionary set of shoes with a pre-installed Global Positioning System (GPS). The heartbeat of this GPS is a 2-inch-by-3-inch chip that can omit (or receive) a wireless alert, letting the wearer (or the parents/friends of) inform a 24-hour monitoring service that he is indeed lost. The information on the whereabouts of the shoe-wearer can only be accessed remotely if the caller can give the correct password.

The problem? The shoes are expensive, presently are available only in an adult line, and they look like something your grandfather would wear to go jogging. The sole purpose for the creation of the $325+ sneakers was to help keep track of young children, not adults. The monitoring service that complements the footwear is an additional $19.95 a month, making safety available only to those who can afford the monthly fee.

Worrisome parents, beware! A pair of these shoes is not the apparatus equivalent to a cell phone. Non-emergency inquiries will be paid for by the caller, so being everywhere your kids are is not going to be solved with these shoes.

And what if the pair of QSTs gets wet? Not "ooh there's a puddle, let me step in it" wet, but "hey let's go play in the creek" wet. Face it, kids are messy and like to ruin expensive things. There has been no mention of how much water damage these shoes can sustain before they go kaput.

Besides, for less than $65 parents could buy a better-looking pair of New Balance sneakers and spend the rest on cross-country training to teach their kids to outrun those pesky sexual predators.



Information for this post was obtained from the Kelli Kennedy (AP) article "GPS Sneakers Can Provide Piece of Mind."