Miscellaneous News Items

[Natoma]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Scalia-Media-Ban.html

Scalia accepts a free speech award because he "consistently, across the board, had opinions or led the charge in support of free speech," but his stipulation is that there be no media allowed to cover the event?

Uhm, talk about odd?

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http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.04/start.html?pg=4

High speed wireless wideband in use by the Army. 100Mbps wireless over 100ft distance!!

That kills 802.11a,b, and g. And they're saying it's pretty cheap too.

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http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,58185,00.html

Vegetable based fuel!

The vegetable motor oil derivative would initially cost about $2 a gallon more than conventional oil, but it would be cheaper in the long run because it is biodegradable and does not harm the topsoil or water supplies, scientists said.

"You don't look at the cost, you look at the end benefit," said Adhvaryu. "If a vegetable oil-based product is used, it breaks down naturally -- you don't have to spend money (to dispose) of it," he said.

Already, corporate America has expressed interest in the new oil. Caterpillar plans to test the vegetable oil as a hydraulic fluid in its engines. Deere and Alcoa also plan to test the fluid.