Segway or the highway. Politicians are helping the Segway scooter steer around sidewalk safety rules as cities brace for the first arrivals early next year. [CNET News.com] This is just such a boy toy! They look like great fun, but are totally impractical at the moment - I simply cannot see how people will get around on these without dedicated pathways. Maybe in places with excellent bicycle networks but I don't want these things on the walkways!
6:47:16 PM  #   your two cents []

From the Unlikely Heroes! Dept: Jesse Helms: Web radio's hero. Small Internet radio broadcasters on the brink of financial disaster have won some breathing room, thanks to the senator from North Carolina. [Salon.com]
6:41:53 PM  #   your two cents []

The Salon Interview: Daniel Ellsberg. The man who leaked the Pentagon Papers talks about why five American presidents lied about Vietnam -- and how to get the truth on Iraq. [Salon.com]
6:40:45 PM  #   your two cents []

James Bond: 007 on the net. Net notes: Even the world wide web is not enough to chart the scope of Britain's biggest film export. [Guardian Unlimited]
6:39:51 PM  #   your two cents []

Mars attracts. Mark Oliver on a maverick society intent on reaching the red planet. [Guardian Unlimited]
6:38:15 PM  #   your two cents []

Homeland Security's tech effects. The Senate's approval of a Homeland Security Department clears the way for massive reorganization of the government that will have a dramatic affect on computer and network security. [CNET News.com]
6:37:35 PM  #   your two cents []

W. L. George. "Wars teach us not to love our enemies, but to hate our allies." [Quotes of the Day]
6:37:11 PM  #   your two cents []

Comdex: Invasive technologies don't fight terrorism. Professor says technologies just 'make people feel better' [InfoWorld: Top News]
6:36:43 PM  #   your two cents []

Salon.com Launches Ad Program. Fighting for survival, the online magazine Salon.com has introduced an unusual advertising program that waives subscription fees for readers willing to wade through an interactive commercial. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: Technology]

Such a tough space -- people may love you and what you do, but if it's on the net, they don't wanna pay. Oh, they'd pay if it all went offline tomorrow, I suppose, but sometimes I think the web world news situation eventually will be nothing but blogs done out of dedication (for whatever fuels that dedication! Fanatacism, good feelings, ego, love of writing, personal brand-building, etc)  and some financial or other niche sites that can get paying subscribers. That's not said in total despair -- just curiosity. It's hard to tell what people really want or value online (besides free...). By that I mean what, if it went offline tomorrow, would create such pain through its loss that they'd pay or barter or whatever to have it back. With some sites, we've seen this happen and a tiny minority of devotees tend to eventually cough up some cash to keep the sites moving along for another while. But Amazon wish lists will not inspire most writers, editors, service providers, forever...

6:35:57 PM  #   your two cents []