Radio Stations Learn From Online Music Sharers. Well, the music industry has gotten one step closer to realizing the power of music sharing, but are still missing the point. The company BigChampagne, that tracks what files people are trading over file sharing networks (usually so the RIAA can throw up stats and whine about their problems) is now offering that data to radio stations as someone had the bright idea, "hey, the music that people are sharing online might be the stuff that people really like - instead of the awful music that we play." Of course, while the industry is suddenly realizing how helpful file sharing systems are as a research tool, they're still trying to shut them down.

This at least shows a little creativity.

[Techdirt]  9:48:57 PM    

"Dealers: Don't party crash a SWAT party" [Daypop Top 40]

Stories like this just make you smile.  9:14:17 PM    

"Ari Gets Laughed Out of the White House Briefing Room" [Daypop Top 40]

I do not usually give a lot of juice to sites I do not know. But you can go the the official White House transcript and read it for yourself:

Q -- the French press is quoting actually two different diplomats from the United States State Department that -- they're highlighting that the United States is giving some sort of agreements or benefits to Colombia -- and other non-members of the Security Council --

MR. FLEISCHER: I haven't seen the story. And you already have the answer, about what this will be decided on. But think about the implications of what you're saying. You're saying that the leaders of other nations are buyable. And that is not an acceptable proposition. (Laughter.)

9:05:32 PM    

Ralph Nader: "The United States spends more than $1 billion annually to examine patents. Despite this expenditure, the Patent Office has become a glorified diploma mill, routinely granting rights that should never have been issued. The patents wouldn't stand up in court, but they're expensive to litigate. So why are we forcing developing countries to follow our lead when we don't do a good job ourselves?" [Scripting News]

Well, it is Ralph but even a broken clock is right twice a day .  3:56:03 PM    

"a tired, left-wing liberal out of touch with the current marketplace" [Daypop Top 40]

For anyone who thought that Donahue was cancelled because of bad ratings. It was the highest rated program on MSNBC. Nobody watches MSNBC. They don't do this unless they have another reason. Looks like becoming a poor copy of Fox News is their goal.  3:50:02 PM    

"U.S. Diplomat's Letter of Resignation" [Daypop Top 40]

An elegant message. I wonder how many other career people in the State Department feel similarly. So you do not have to check Google, 'oderint dum metuant' is a favorite phrase of Caligula's that means 'Let them hate so long as they fear.'  3:42:07 PM    

Stupidity should be cured, says DNA discoverer [New Scientist]

Jim Watson is at an age where he can pretty much say whatever he wanys but we don't have to listen. While it might seem more ethical to cure stupidity, outside of genetic disorders, it will probably be very difficult. And I amsure that many 'girls' would prefer if boys were handsome.  3:22:45 PM    

MSN blocks e-mail from rival ISPs. Microsoft says legitimate messages from EarthLink and RoadRunner e-mail accounts were mistakenly blocked as part of its crackdown on spam. [CNET News.com]

I do not know why Hotmail accounts have such a problem but I have seen much greater problems with these free accounts than I ever have for my free excite.com account.  3:16:36 PM    

Video Shows Astronauts' Final Minutes [AP Science]

An amazing story. I'm glad that the last images of the astronauts will be positve ones.  3:11:29 PM