US aerospace employment at 50-year low. The number of people in the United States employed by the aerospace industry has dropped to the lowest levels in a half-century. [spacetoday.net]
10:54:25 AM  #   your two cents []

John Naughton has a tribute to Cambridge Microsoft Lab director and famed researcher Roger Needham, who died last week, as well as a link to this great lecture by Needham about computer 'science' and research. I also made some comments below.
10:53:14 AM  #   your two cents []

I'm off to Limerick today to talk to some of the researchers at the University of Limerick. I'm started on an informal project of visiting the various universities and research centres to get a sense of what people are doing around the country. I know the Times coverage has been weak in this area -- most regional correspondents aren't really focused on the tech angle of stories and have lots of other daily responsibilities, and it's also hard for the Dublin reporters to take a day or two away. I'm a bit more flexible so off I go on the train today (boy, I love trains. Almost as good as getting there is the going, as long as you don't get a crowded one). I'm looking forward to also seeing the university's great art collections.
9:44:51 AM  #   your two cents []

Under Fire, a Star Banker at Credit Suisse Resigns. Frank P. Quattrone, Credit Suisse First Boston's embattled technology banker, resigned today amid criminal investigations. [New York Times: Technology]
9:36:01 AM  #   your two cents []

Yet another carefully-crafted piece of EU legislation in the tech area: Europe Hacker Laws Could Make Protest a Crime. The new laws intended to deter computer hacking could pose problems because the language could also outlaw people who organize protests online. [New York Times: Technology]
9:34:13 AM  #   your two cents []

George Bernard Shaw. "A fashion is nothing but an induced epidemic." [Quotes of the Day]
9:33:41 AM  #   your two cents []

Laptops Win Over the Skeptics, Even in Maine. Just six months after Maine began providing laptop computers, educators are impressed by how quickly students and teachers have adapted to laptop technology. [New York Times: Technology]
9:33:04 AM  #   your two cents []

Bhs owner issues apology to the Irish. [Guardian Unlimited]: "He added: 'Some of my best friends are Irish - Michael Smurfit, Dermot Desmond, JP McManus'. They are all among Ireland's wealthiest business elite."
9:32:17 AM  #   your two cents []

As long as I get my 12" by Friday or Monday... [grin]: Mac fans wait for 17-inch PowerBook. Mini Me may have his 17-inch PowerBook, but the rest of the world is having to wait as Apple Computer is apparently having problems ramping up production of the extrawide notebook. [CNET News.com]
9:29:55 AM  #   your two cents []

Supreme Court curbs trademarks' reach. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling gave a suprise legal boost to Americans who own Internet domains that criticize corporations or use their trademarks. [CNET News.com]
9:29:06 AM  #   your two cents []

With big spending on big packages drastically slowed, going after the huge SME market, even if profits are smaller, seems a good idea. I found this initiative of SAP's interesting when I was at their last conference. Also found their dual chief executives most impressive -- they actually answer questions and know their technology, unlike so many glamour CEOs of the boom era. SAP expands small-business push. The business software maker expands an initiative to target small and medium-size businesses with five new software packages and plans for at least 20 more. [CNET News.com]
9:28:34 AM  #   your two cents []