Blu-ray the victor in next generation DVD war

http://www.smh.com.au/news/articles/bluray-the-victor-in-next-generation-dvd-war/2008/02/18/1203190700636.html

The high definition disc format wars could be over after reports revealed that the main backer of HD DVD, Toshiba, is preparing to fall on its sword.

The move would mean consumers won't have to worry about choosing a format that could eventually become obsolete. But the reduced competition could eliminate incentives for the rival Blu-ray camp to keep prices low.

A Toshiba source, speaking to Reuters, confirmed earlier reports that the company was planning to concede defeat as early as this month.

Earlier, a report by Japanese public broadcaster NHK said Toshiba would soon discontinue all HD DVD production and close factories in Japan. It estimated the move would cost Toshiba hundreds of millions of US dollars.

It follows a series of defections to the Blu-ray camp by major US retailers, which came on the back of already disappointing sales and movie studio support for HD DVD.....

Friend locator' could become next craze for social networkers

http://www.gypsii.com/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080213/tc_afp/lifestyleinternettelecomsocial;_ylt=AqoQ2eHtAx5xFyez4dhtv7wjtBAF

GyPSii allows users to share their real life experiences in the virtual world using mobile devices and the web. It is a UGC (user generated content), social networking, search & location based suite of integrated mobile and web applications - for users to share, view & upload pictures, video, text and POI (points of interest) with a geo-tag (location data) - place and track each other in their select communities. Find people and places, points of interest, map and navigate to them all.
“Integrated set of features in one easy user experience”

FARC Protesters Answer Facebook's Call

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/web20/61544.html?welcome=1202338146

Project Vote Smart

http://www.vote-smart.org

About Project Vote Smart
So different in background, so opposed in interest, you would not find our kind elsewhere on the earth or anywhere in human history. As a nation we have succeeded, not because we struggle with one another, but because we somehow have learned to recognize that the single issue that will always call us to arms is one that requires the defense of each other - a defense against the aggression that strikes at the heart of the American experience and endangers our freedom and ability to self-govern.

On common ground at a unique research center high in the Montana Rockies, a struggling group of Americans, who you are unlikely to know and will probably never meet, have begun a battle. A battle to protect all of us from the selfish interests that strip us of the most crucial component in our struggle to self-govern -- access to abundant, accurate, and relevant information.
The Great Divide Ranch in Montana

Here at Project Vote Smart, Americans young and old volunteer their time, take no money from special interest groups, and have committed themselves to an extraordinary effort that, if successful, will provide their fellow citizens with the tools for a reemergence of political power not known for half a century. Their idea is one you may have thought of yourself. It is a deceptively simple concept but enormously difficult to achieve and would not be possible without the collaboration of citizens willing to lay their partisan differences aside for this one crucial task.

Free Hugs Campaign. (music by Sick Puppies.net album out)

6 Degrees Warmer: Mass Extinction?