] Globalization starts with getting the details right.
] Inconsistent use of SI units and international
] standard paper sizes remain today a primary
] cause for U.S. businesses failing to meet
] the expectations of the global economy.

[ Fascinating read! I'm down with being unique, except in the cases where the US can't seem to play nice with the rest of the world. Standards people, STANDARDS! I want metric now.

And while i'm dreaming, i want web browsers to conform to their respective specs and standards too... for fucks sake. -k]

A4 Paper Format / International Standard Paper Sizes

There's no vestige of beginning,
no prospect of an end
When we all disintegrate it will all happen again
If you came to conquer, you'll be king for a day
then you to will deteriorate and quickly fade away
-Bad Religion, No Control

Rather apt lyrics

[ I've been finding Bad Religion to be more and more applicable on a daily basis... -k]

No Control

] A privately developed spacecraft rocketed a solo pilot to
] the edge of space on Thursday, as part of ongoing
] preparations for its first full space flight.
]
] SpaceCraftOne, flown by 62-year-old Mike Melvill, reached
] altitude of 65,000 metres at about 1600 GMT. The altitude
] is a new record for a private vehicle. NASA awards
] astronaut status to anyone who reaches an altitude of 50
] miles (80,500 metres).

[ As much bad shit as happens in the world, isn't it an exciting time to be alive!

This is the team (as abaddon pointed out to me) that's funded primarily by Paul Allen, and led by famed aerospace engineer Burt Rutan. It's hard to argue that these guys will take the X-prize... they're *way* ahead of the competition. As cool as Carmack's H202 powered vehicle is, i don't see it getting to space anytime soon. -k]

Private rocket ship sets altitude record

[ I wish i could watch this now... but I'm at work and don't want to go so far as to watch video. As an alum, I'm very interested in what she had to say today...

Anyone who lives in Nashvegas go see this today? -k]

Vanderbilt University: Commencement 2004 Webcast - Condi Rice

] Hybrid cars are hot, but not as hot as their owners, who
] complain that their gas mileage hasn't come close to
] well-advertised estimates.
]
] Don't knock the car companies for inflated claims:
] Experts say the blame lies with the 19-year-old EPA
] fuel-efficiency test that overstates hybrid performance.
] ...

[ Also, " The EPA test "has inherent shortcomings, irrespective of what kind of car is being driven," says Philip Schmidt, professor of engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Schmidt says hybrid cars use computers to more precisely control the flow of gasoline and have more efficient catalytic converters, which reduce the amount of emissions. Schmidt "wouldn't rule out" that hybrid cars' ability to limit emissions contributes to the disparity in EPA versus real-world numbers.

Federal law requires that auto manufacturers use only EPA estimates when promoting their vehicles' fuel economy, according to Toyota spokeswoman Nancy Hubbell.

I don't imagine this is the last we'll see of this issue. Certainly, my car doesn't get near the stickered milage, though i blame most of that on the way i drive, which is to say, fast and at higher RPM. Still even when i was trying to be efficient, i didn't get there, so clearly the tests are overstating the reality in most cases.

Does anyone get MORE miles to the gallon than indicated by their sticker? -k]

Wired News: Hybrid Mileage Comes Up Short

If you don't already have reason to vote for anyone other than the incumbent, including any household appliance that might suddenly gain sentience and make a bid for the US presidency, this might help you out.

[ This would be more compelling if the items were phrased in a more serious and straightforward manner, and if they included links to stories which support the assertion.

I don't disagree with really any of these, but as it is, it preaches only to the converted... anyone on the fence is more likely to be put off by the tone and lack of supporting evidence.

Now, someone with a few hours, access to google news, and some will power could probably use this list as a jumping off point to create a strong case, supported by articles and quotes, and which makes an actual case.

Ideally, addressing and debunking the more frivolous counter arguments would be nice.

Quick anecdote on the ABB tip... went to Alfredo's to eat some badass Italian food a couple weeks ago, and when I came out there was an "Anyone But Bush '04" bumper sticker under the windshield wiper on my car... -k]

Anyone but Bush

] Microsoft's increasing concern over information security
] has translated into its decision to bite the bullet and
] make its upcoming SP2 (Service Pack 2) security patch
] available to all users - including those using pirated
] copies of its Windows XP software.

[ Huh. -k]

Computer Times - Technology

] This extraordinary collaborative work by women from
] around the world brings a new sense to the Bushian phrase
] by making a statement of hope and peace in an age of
] chaos. The album contains 14 lullabies from Iran, Iraq,
] North Korea, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Cuba,
] presented in its original form by women from these
] countries
] ...
] Thus the record forms 14 small musical bridges between
] east and west, north and south. A complete track, sound
] samples and artist listing follows below.

[ Very interesting. Dunno if it will prove an effective means of protest, but it's interesting nonetheless... -k]

Lullabies from the Axis of Evil / cdRoots

] The world's five biggest music labels have successfully
] forced Apple to increase the prices it charges for songs
] on the online iTunes Music Store.
]
] As we reported back in April, the major labels have been
] engaged in negotiations with the Mac maker in a bid to
] persuade it to put up prices.

[ Foot. Gun. Bang.

Fuck the big 5, more than ever. They need to die, now, and be replaced with more agile, artist-friendly, consumer-friendly independent labels. Fuck the multimillion dollar bubblegum crap and fuck the marketing budgets. -k]

Major labels 'force 70% price hike' on Apple | The Register

] "In recent days, there has been a good deal of discussion
] about who bears responsibility for the terrible
] activities that took place at Abu Ghraib (prison). These
] events occurred on my watch. As secretary of defence, I
] am accountable for them, and I take full responsibility,"
] Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee on
] Friday.

[ Hm, well, that's a step in the right direction.

Best picture ever on this one too... Rumz just throws his hands up. "I dunno *what* the fuck we're gonna do..." -k]

Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage