02 December 2003

Largest prime number ever is found down the back of the sofa. [New Scientist] 6:26:34 PM    comment()

Computers drove up GCHQ costs Earlier this year, a National Audit Office report revealed a failure to appreciate the difficulties involved meant the cost of the move to the so-called 'doughnut' in Cheltenham rocketed from an original estimate of £41m to £308m.[BBC] £41m became £308m. That's a multiple of about 7.5. Rising Holyrood cost 'hidden' The inquiry into the Scottish Parliament project has heard how senior civil servants failed to reveal significant increases in the cost... The current construction bill for the building in Edinburgh has been put at £401m, compared to its original estimate in the devolution white paper of £40m. £40m became £401m. That's a multiple of just over 10. Two projects. £628m overspend so far. Damn, we're good. 6:03:13 PM    comment()

The Web site for Harpers has an unusual new design that builds on its extensive back catalog of magazine content in semantic-Web-ish ways... [Scott Rosenberg's Links & Comment] Suggestion: Go to the new Harpers site, start clicking around on the links in the Weekly Reviews. Then click on the links in these pages. Make a long, low whistle. Wish that every other news site had this functionality. Bow in the direction of Paul Ford. Add to bookmarks. 1:56:54 PM    comment()

Why don't cigarette companies list their ingredients?. [Ask Yahoo!] 8:59:17 AM    comment()