Thursday 20 February 2003

If it's not one thing it's another Dashing out to a briefing this afternoon, I couldn't find the zapper to unlock my car and turn off the alarm. So I had to open the driver's door manually, which of course set off the alarm, which I also had to turn off manually. Once I got to the briefing I found I couldn't lock the driver's door. Fortunately, my car was still there when I got back. I took it to BK Motors where it was explained to me that because the manual lock hadn't been used in such a long time I had probably done something nasty to the lock. I'm to bring it back tomorrow. When I asked if it would be a big job or not, I was told the door would have to be stripped first before they would know. Oh, and I found the zapper. It was on my desk where I left it last night. 5:51:25 PM    comment []

The Future of Flight: NASA Wants 4-Person Space Plane Nasa has published the Level 1 requirements for its news spaceplane. Level 1 requirements are an outline of NASA's requirements so that the aerospace industry has a rough idea of what the agency wants. Essentially, NASA is looking for a craft capable of carrying at least four people - as opposed to the seven minimum of the scrapped emergency rescue vehicle - launchable from a Delta 4 or Atlas 5 rocket. The life support system should also allow the crew to opeate the system without first donning flight suits. And it has to be ready by 2012. SPACE.com has the full story. 5:37:27 PM    comment []  Google It!

Woman sues over 'alien' stunt The US Sci-Fi Channel - unrelated to the UK channel of the same name - set Ms Kara Blanc up in candid-camera style programme. Ms Blanc was told she was being driven to an exclusive Hollywood party by a friend. On the way the car "broke down" and Ms Blanc was chased by an actor dressed as an alien. Claiming physical and mental injuries Ms Blanc is doing what so many Americans do best: she's suing the Sci-Fi Channel and the friend who set her up. The BBC has the full story. 5:26:09 PM    comment []  Google It!

Microsoft acquires Virtual PC from Connectix Microsoft adds Connectix Corp's biological and technological distinctiveness to its own. MacCentral reports that Microsoft has purchased the Virtual PC products from Connectix. As part of the deal a number of Connectix employees will move to Microsoft. Whether or not Connectix will survive beyond the transition period, which is expected to last six months remains to be seen. What will happen to Virtual PC also remains to be seen. Ron Okamoto, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, was quoted as being optimistic about the future of the product. 1:02:04 AM    comment []  Google It!

© Copyright 2003 David Stewart. Last update: 24/06/2003; 20:47:58.