Probably one of the most interesting pieces of free software available for download is NASA World Wind from NASA.

Yes - this is the same NASA that put man on the moon etc.

Some of the many delights that you can do with this s/w are (as shown at the site):

World Wind allows any user to zoom from satellite altitude into any place on Earth, leveraging high resolution LandSat imagery and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) elevation data to experience Earth terrain (or any planet with the data) in visually rich 3D, just as if they were really there. Virtually visit anyplace in the world. Look across the Andes, into the Grand Canyon, over the Alps or along the African Sahara.

And I have tried it - and it is REALLY beautiful!

An additional download site some of the data that would otherwise need to be downloaded from NASA's site when you 'zoom' in too close.

Also - you will need to download the patch that will upgrade you to 1.2c

You can have hours of fun!

Weird news!! At last Apple computers have their very own virus!

This is the final bit of confirmation that Apple has 'arrived' as far as the regular ole computing universe is concerned.

Maybe it is time to buy AAPL stock?

FCC's Powell vs Howard Stern - nice controversy for anyone that is interested.
The transcript is revealing.

Background: This comes from a slashdot posting talking about Stern calling in to some Ronn's show where Michael Powell was taking questions.

Among some of my favourite blogs for this Presidential Campaign in progress in the US (just 7 days to go before election day) are:
1) JustOneMinute
2) Spinsanity - Countering the rhetoric with reason
3) Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall
4) Bull Moose
5) www.AndrewSullivan.com - Daily Dish
and last but not least - the absolutely most importantest web site to keep facts straight
6) FactCheck.org - Annenberg Political Fact Check

If polls and their analysis are what you crave, take a peek at
7) Current Electoral Vote Predictor 2004

I noticed in my snail-mail that this time's MIT Technology Review had a most interesting article about - micro jet engines! Here's what is interesting about this power source

• small
• battery sized
• diesel/gasoline replinishments will keep the jet running
• supplying fuel to the device that it is attached to
• no cooling issues (heat sinks can remove the heat so that the device is no warmer than today's devices
• does not have to be as efficient as the jet engines powering 747's to make a dent in the battery market

Well - what are we waiting for? Why shouldn't we be using these devices on a day to day basis? According to the article, it will take about 5 years to make the product reach the market.

Another reason I am interested in the development of this device is that a friend/acquaintance of mine has worked on something very similar - Dr. Ravi Khanna of MIT.