2002 October

“Terra Lycos said Thursday that it will introduce a new instant messaging service built on IBM Lotus Sametime technology by the end of the year. ” The service will be free at first, however, there will be paid options available beginning in 2003.

Bad news for WiFi bandwidth thieves. The WiFi industry is expected to release new security standards today that they expect will provide a much needed security boost.

Travel seems to be on the minds of Internet users this holiday season with “Flights” topping the list of the top ten search engine terms. This published top ten list was provided by Espotting.

Just in time for the holidays, Amazon.com prepares the launch of it’s online clothing store in an attempt to compete with the likes of Nordstrom and Lands’ End.

“Manfred Boden was at his computer when letters and entire lines of text on the screen began changing by themselves. Gradually, the German cabinetmaker saw a message from a recently deceased friend take shape: ‘I am here … Manfred … Yours, Klaus.’
Believers in something called instrumental transcommunication (ITC) say the message Boden received nearly 22 […]

“Despite mounting anecdotal evidence, conventional scientists still reject the notion that a person can remain conscious after being clinically deceased. Now a pair of researchers want to prove them wrong.”

CNet has an interesting article about the effect of Google on business. I’m sure there are many examples of this, but this article talks about a company called Data Recovery Group, which saw a 30 percent drop in business after their website was suddenly dropped from Google’s listings - without explanation.
I’m not to sure how […]

Toyota, the world’s third-largest automaker, plans to only manufacture gas-electric hybrid cars by 2012. The plan is to decrease the cost of manufacturing hybrid cars by increasing production. I’m sure Mother Nature is breathing a sigh of relief.

Wal-Mart has added the Lycoris distribution of Linux to its menu of budget PCs. Lycoris joins Lindows and Mandrake Linux on PCs offered from the Wal-Mart web site. I personally think it’s awesome that Wal-Mart is doing this, hopefully other retailers will start doing the same.

“Grayson Wireless has received an additional purchase order for its wireless caller location systems from ATT Wireless Services. Grayson will provide digital dual mode GSM/TDMA-compatible network-based Geometrix E911 caller location systems for deployment in portions of ATT Wireless’s wireless network.”
I think it’s great that a company here is contributing to the solution of finding […]

“Lars Bo Larsen and his team at Aalborg University in Denmark have invented a pool table that uses laser beams to help you make the perfect shot. The lasers are controlled by mirrors, which are connected to a computer. A software-based coach named “James” teaches you how to play better.”

Is it really that good? Dell, an Apple rival, has begun carrying the Windows version of the iPod. Online sales are expected to begin shortly. It’s kind of nice seeing Dell and Apple playing nicely.

Sure, it’s not technology related… but that doesn’t make it any less hilarious. This sorry burglar mistakenly left his resume at the scene of his latest crime, making his capture relatively simple for authorites.

According to Forrester Research, online sales have actually declined to $17 billion this quarter, down from $20 billion the previous quarter. While Amazon and Ebay are expected to bring revenue statistics higher this holiday season, political and economic uncertainty may keep ecommerce growth from its continued rise.

Tetris. I’ve played it. You’ve played it. We’ve all played it. Nothing beats that rush you get when you finally drop that one piece and make four lines disappear all together. MIT computer scientists have discovered that this Russian game has a lot in common with even the most complex […]

The newest version of Microsoft’s Office Suite, code named Office 11, will only work on Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3 and Windows XP. This has upset many businesses, who say they may turn to StarOffice or OpenOffice. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next year or so, will Microsoft lose […]

Kuro5hin has put together a listing of statistics about the bloggers on the net, though he lists no information about how he gathered the information, it is quite interesting to see some of these statistics.

No, not THAT kind of Silver Bullet. The one that brings down werewolves. Only in this case it’s network attacks. “Organisations need to understand that a comprehensively multi-tier anti-virus system and a correctly installed and configured firewall are only stepping-stones on the road to an effective security strategy. There is no silver […]

Scientists have finally used the Internet to truly reach out and touch somebody. By way of a cube they call a “phantom” colleagues in London and Boston were able to shake the other’s hand. The “phantom” allows them to not only feel the pressure of the object it is following, but also the texture of […]

This article confirms what we all thought, “October had already qualified as the worst month for overt digital attacks since its records began in 1995, with an estimated 16,559 attacks carried out on systems and Web Sites. “