The Linkage for May. 21st

Here’s a quick look at what I was reading online from May. 12th to May. 21st:

OPLC takes another stab at bringing computers to Third World children
Tags: computer technology
After failing to deliver a true $100 laptop, OPLC rolls out the design for its second model – an e-book slated to cost around $75. Here’s hoping they’ve learnt from their mistakes and hit their target this time around.

Gas prices drive Geos from clunkers to chic
Tags: automobile
After years of ridicule, Geos – weeble cars of the 90s – are making a small comeback as an alternative to pricier new hybrid models.

Court rules paper money unfair to blind
Tags: accessibility currency government law
I’ll admit that I enjoy the uniformity of U.S. paper currency (well, I did before they started making orange $20s and purple $5s…), but this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

You’re not injured unless Cecil says you’re injured
Tags: astros baseball stupid
Most managers err on the side of caution with their pitching staffs. Astros manager Cecil Cooper apparently holds the “run them out there until they die on the mound” mentality.

Long-time Houston newsman Ron Stone passes away at 72
Tags: deaths media television texas
Channel 2 wasn’t our local news station of choice growing up, but I greatly enjoyed Stone’s work on “The Eyes of Texas” and it looks like he made quite a contribution towards preserving Texas history off camera as well.

Biden uses some strong words
Tags: congress democrats politics
Completely awesome. No matter what we’re talking about, I am completely in favor of more profanity in our national political discourse.

Politician uses footage of wrong state in ad
Tags: advertising colorado politics republicans stupid
When you run an ad talking about how much you love your state and its natural beauty, it’s generally best to use footage that features your state’s natural beauty and not someone else’s.

Vatican astronomer says if aliens exist, they may not need redemption
Tags: religion science space vatican
Good news: The Vatican says extra-terrestrial life is cool. Bad news: Those aliens may have a leg up on us humans in the race for the pearly gates.

Oldest known bust of Caesar found
Tags: france history rome
Amazing to think that anything could sit at the bottom of a river for 2,000 years, but it appears that a bust of Julius Caesar did just that.

Useless Junk: Electronic Wooden Mirror
Tags: technology useless_junk weird
That’s right, it’s a mirror made out of wood instead of glass. Actually, tiny little chips of wood that flip after interpreting an image from a small camera in the center. Just think of people in a stadium holding cards to create an image – same idea.

BBC cracks down on knitted Ood dolls
Tags: bbc doctor_who
No! I want – no NEED – a little knitted Ood doll! How awesome is that?!? Now that I will never have one, my life is crap.

Congress looks at steel pennies, nickels
Tags: congress constitution currency economics government
A bill has been introduced in the House (but likely won’t make it past the Senate) calling on the Treasury to overhaul what goes into our pennies and nickels.

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