Snails Edge Out ADSL [Slashdot: 4/26/2005] Following experiments last year, and after long preparations, a group of IT geeks in Israel has successfully proved that certain gastropods called African giant snails can be faster then ADSL and ... pigeons. The system used, called SNAP (SNAil-based data transfer Protocol), uses biological carriers (snails), and, for the first time, taking advantages of the unique merits of the wheel for data transfer. In spite of the relatively slow speed of the biological carrier, the SNAP system transfers data much faster than conventional technologies. 4/28/2005 10:00:42 PM    

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Innovative fountain pen writes on the nanoscale [ScienceDaily 2005-04-27] The first practical fountain pen was invented in 1884. Now fountain pen history is repeating itself in the tiny world of nanoscale writing. Researchers at Northwestern University have demonstrated writing at the sub-100 nanometer molecular scale in fountain-pen fashion. The ink on the reservoir is driven through the microchannel via capillary action to reach the dispensing tip. At present, the smallest feature width achieved with the device is 40 nanometers. [Small Journal reference; Full article: 177K pdf] 4/28/2005 4:39:33 PM    

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How to 'Stealth' Microsoft Windows XP Professional [CertificationMag 1/2005] The only true way to ensure the security of a computer is to remove its connectivity to any network altogether -- or keep it turned off. This article shares effective tips, tweaks and suggestions that you can apply quickly and easily to improve the security of any Windows XP Professional box on your network. 4/28/2005 4:12:51 PM    

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Are We Having Fun Yet? The Benefits of Play [Bernie DeKoven's FunLog 4/28/2005] Mark Harris has graced us with a wonderful article to remind us how essential it is to play. "We wrestle with an undercurrent of belief that play is frivolous. Certainly children are the masters of play. It's what they do. It's also the way they learn, acquire cognitive and motor skills, and just make life interesting and fun. As adults we still play, but less spontaneously. We tend to schedule in our play time. When, that is, we can find time to schedule."

"Athletes refer to moments when they're in 'the zone,' when body, mind, and spirit acquire a kind of transcendent rhythm and performance is at a peak. In the zone of deep, transcendent play there is calm but also alert and focused readiness. Such moments of heightened awareness represent a state of 'flow'. This is the state of mind in which a person becomes so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. Awareness to the task at hand acquires a kind of meditative brilliance. Mindfulness zeroes in like a laser beam. Everything feels in harmony. In the flow, we feel satisfied. " Play is essential to health, productivity, creativity.

4/28/2005 3:56:13 PM    

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Thumbprinting at tanning salons, fitness clubs, Statue of Liberty and Disneyland. [Boing Boing 4/28/2005; 1:52:31 PM] Reader Brian says: "I'm shocked, SHOCKED that no one has posted information on how to fake finger prints. You have a story at the Register, another link, and my favorite, step by step picture example." 4/28/2005 3:23:04 PM    

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