Dishes keeping the UK connected. The Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall is a key part of the global network that keeps us talking to each other. [BBC News | Technology | UK Edition]

 

9:15:16 AM    

 

Wobbly footballs and electronic pants. Letters A typical haul from the postbag... [The Register]

 

9:14:12 AM    

 

Google Desktop privacy branded 'unacceptable'. The Goo that knows you [The Register]

 

9:13:27 AM    

 

BlackBerry can be bitten by DoS attacks. Smart phones using older RIM software are open to remote rebooting, but the flaw's not as bad as first reported. [CNET News.com]

 

9:12:42 AM    

 

High-Tech Shopping Carts. neutron_p writes "A Massachusetts-based supermarket chain says it will roll out new intelligent shopping carts that promise to make food shopping much more personalized and interactive. They will let shoppers email their shopping lists to the store and check prices on the spot. Each new 'Shopping Buddy' cart mounts a wireless, touch-screen IBM computer, equipped with a laser scanner. The computer will also alert shoppers as they approach favorite items or promotions." [Slashdot]

 

9:10:11 AM    

 

Facts on Scientific Names of Organisms. Ant writes "From my ant message board thread (trying to pick names related to ants for World of Warcraft), Myrmecos mentioned Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature that lists scientific names of organisms are not usually known for their entertainment value. They are indispensable for clarity in communication, but most people skip over them with barely a glance. Mark Isaak, the author, collected those names that are worth a second look. Some names are interesting for what they are named after (for example, Arthurdactylus conandoylensis, Godzillius), some are puns (La cucaracha, Phthiria relativitae), and some show other kinds of wordplay (such as the palindromic Orizabus subaziro). Some have achieved notability through accident of history, and many show the sense of humor of taxonomists." [Slashdot]

 

9:09:38 AM    

 

Drawings Blamed for Genesis Crash. An investigating board says the capsule was doomed by faulty engineering drawings that were done backward. The drawings led to incorrect placement of switches that were supposed to detect Genesis' re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. [Wired News]

 

9:07:37 AM