Saturday, October 16, 2004

Wired News - a must-read for the latest information and commentary on
our rapidly changing digital world.

W I R E D N E W S Top Stories - 09:15AM 15.Oct.04.PDT
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A Tribute to Spam, the Meat (On The Road - Great River Road 2:00 a.m.
PDT)

http://go.hotwired.com/news/roadtrip/riverroad/0,2704,65167,00.html/wn_
ascii


A trip to Spamtown USA to check out a museum celebrating the canned
pork product reminds us how Spam made an impact on world cuisine long
before its name became synonymous with unwanted e-mail. Michelle Delio
reports from Austin, Minnesota.
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Expo Tries to Whet Geek Appetites (Gadgets and Gizmos 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/gizmos/0,1452,65348,00.html/wn_ascii

New laptops, games and even Google applications share the spotlight at
DigitalLife2004, a show designed to tempt consumers to pry open their
wallets. Michael Myser reports from New York.
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Broadband: More Power to You (Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65350,00.html/wn_ascii

Federal regulators adopt rules aimed at enticing utilities to offer
internet service over power lines. But experts say it'll be several
years before many people will get broadband from their electrical
outlets. Michael Grebb reports from Washington.
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RSS Feeds Hunger for More Ads (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65347,00.html/wn_ascii

There's no such thing as a free lunch. And soon, there may be no such
thing as an ad-free RSS feed, either, as publishers add advertisements
to their feeds in hopes of making money through the popular content-
aggregating technology. By Cyrus Farivar.
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Spawn of X Prize on Horizon (The Final Frontier 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/space/0,2697,65351,00.html/wn_ascii

Innovators take note: The folks behind the X Prize vow there will soon
be more competitions in several disciplines. Also: The da Vinci team
presses ahead in Canada.... Rubicon team plans another launch attempt.
By Dan Brekke.
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Our Kids Are in Big Trouble (Wired magazine 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/view.html?pg=5
Government is using technology to burden their future -- and it's all
our fault. By Lawrence Lessig from Wired magazine.
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E-Vote Snafu in Florida (Machine Politics Thursday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/evote/0,2645,65342,00.html/wn_ascii

A server crashes, disrupting the pre-election test of electronic
voting machines in West Palm Beach. Critics say this underscores the
unreliability of e-voting, while election officials say all glitches
will be fixed.
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Ashcroft Vows Piracy Assault (Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65331,00.html/wn_ascii

Move over, terrorism. Attorney General John Ashcroft pledges to make
fighting piracy a top priority for the Justice Department. By Katie
Dean.
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IndyMedia Gets Its Servers Back (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65338,00.html/wn_ascii

Critical hardware is back in hand, but websites run by the collective
news organization remain offline after a mysterious seizure. Nobody
seems to know who confiscated the servers or why. By Wendy M. Grossman.
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All-Science TV Network Kicks Off (Med-Tech Center 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65337,00.html/wn_ascii

The Science Network launches its first program in an effort to educate
the masses about stem-cell research and other vital topics. Don't yawn
-- you need this. By Kristen Philipkoski.
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Can't Hide Your Lying ... Face? (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65322,00.html/wn_ascii

In search of the ultimate lie detector, researchers turn to thermal
facial scans, brain wiring and eyeball tracking. But deception still,
well, deceives. By Randy Dotinga.
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Water Filters Rely on Nanotech (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65287,00.html/wn_ascii

Advancements in nanotechnology are increasingly being applied in the
water-purification industry, where keeping harmful microbes out of
drinking water requires nano-scale innovation. By Michael Bradbury.
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Diesels, Hybrids Fated to Wed (Autopia 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/autotech/0,2554,65273,00.html/wn_ascii

Linking hybrid motors with diesel engines would create the most fuel-
efficient mainstream vehicles to date, auto industry experts say. While
the technology is already used for buses, automakers look to extend it
to other vehicles. By John Gartner.
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Dumbing Down Smart Objects (Wired magazine 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/view.html?pg=4
Forget about cumbersome, multifunctional PDAs. The future is an open
book. By Bruce Sterling from Wired magazine.
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FDA Says Docs Can Chip Patients (Technology Wednesday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65332,00.html/wn_ascii

The Food and Drug Administration gives doctors the go-ahead to implant
radio frequency microchips in patients. When scanned, the chips will
release patients' medical information to doctors, speeding care.
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Team Wants to Clone Human Embryos (Med-Tech Center Wednesday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65333,00.html/wn_ascii

Harvard scientists ask the school's ethics board to allow production
of embryonic stem cells. If approved, the controversial procedure would
boost research that could lead to cures for many diseases.
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Now, for Your PC: Mac OS X (Cult of Mac 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/mac/0,2125,65323,00.html/wn_ascii

A Hawaiian company claims to have developed a $50 software emulator
that allows a Windows PC to run Mac OS X. A legal expert says it's
likely Apple will have some objections. By Leander Kahney.
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WanderPod Brings Wi-Fi Anywhere (Unwired News 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,65283,00.html/wn_ascii

A Wi-Fi hot-spot builder develops a decked-out trailer capable of
delivering broadband access even in the middle of nowhere. The
WanderPod gets its first test run at the launch of SpaceShipOne in the
Mojave Desert. By Dan Brekke.
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A Mall for America's Geeks (On The Road - Great River Road 2:00 a.m.
PDT)

http://go.hotwired.com/news/roadtrip/riverroad/0,2704,65138,00.html/wn_
ascii


A road trip detour to the Mall of America offers a look at some
remarkable feats of modern engineering. Marvels range from genetically
modified glowing fish to roller coasters that no sane human should ride
after lunch. Michelle Delio reports from Bloomington, Minnesota.
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Click Fraud Threatens Web (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65324,00.html/wn_ascii

Someone could make the argument that watchdogs have better things to
do. But click fraud -- endlessly clicking on ads to generate cash or
hurt a competitor -- is a serious threat to the web business, and no
one's doing much about it. Commentary by Adam L. Penenberg.
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Vote Early and Often Online (Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65319,00.html/wn_ascii

Polls run by news sites to gauge public opinion of politicians are
turning into partisan tools for political spin doctors. People voting,
often repeatedly, in response to e-mails from their favored candidates
can skew the results. By Louise Witt.
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New Tack Wins Prisoner's Dilemma (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65317,00.html/wn_ascii

The winner of this year's competition in the classic computerized
strategy game shows that a tactic based on cooperating with team
members can succeed over one that relies on echoing rivals' moves. By
Wendy M. Grossman.
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UCLA File Swappers in Quarantine (DAT's Entertainment 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,65227,00.html/wn_ascii

The school's tool for fighting piracy on campus automatically isolates
students fingered by the entertainment industry for allegedly sharing
copyright files. It's another example of a university cracking down on
illegal file trading. By Katie Dean.
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Campaign Donor Data Goes Mobile (Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65271,00.html/wn_ascii

Political wonks no longer need to hunch over their PCs to track the
political leanings of different regions. A new service sends that data
to cell phones and PDAs, so people can find out instantly if they're in
a Democratic or Republican stronghold. By Daniel Terdiman.
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You Need a Robolawyer (Wired magazine 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/view.html?pg=2
Stop reading all that 'clickwrap' fine print! A browser bot will
accept or reject agreements on your terms. By Mark D. Rasch from Wired
magazine.
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Music Industry Spurned by Court (DAT's Entertainment Tuesday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,65321,00.html/wn_ascii

The Supreme Court declines to hear the music industry's appeal of a
case that forbade it from trying to force phone and internet companies
from turning over the names of people suspected of copyright
infringement over peer-to-peer networks. Michael Grebb reports from
Washington, D.C.
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Reeve Was a Super Activist (Med-Tech Center Tuesday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65318,00.html/wn_ascii

Christopher Reeve's death Sunday deprives stem-cell research advocates
of one of their most effective champions. But the wheels he help put in
motion will continue turning, they promise.
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Diebold and the Disabled (Machine Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/evote/0,2645,65292,00.html/wn_ascii

Among the promoters of electronic voting machines are advocates for
disabled voters. But critics say money connections between disability
groups and voting-machine companies suggest the groups may be concerned
with more than independent access for the disabled. By Kim Zetter.
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Jacket Grows From Living Tissue (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65248,00.html/wn_ascii

Put off by the idea of wearing jackets made from dead animal skins, a
team of Australian researchers attempts to grow a stitchless coat from
live cells. By Lakshmi Sandhana.
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IPod Users Go Into the Closet (Cult of Mac 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/mac/0,2125,65278,00.html/wn_ascii

As Apple's iPod moves fast into the mainstream, many users shun the
telltale white earbuds. Behold the closet iPod lover, some of whom are
not too keen on the growing hordes of plebes with new iPods. By Leander
Kahney.
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Undecided Voter? Try This Quiz (Business 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/business/0,1367,65216,00.html/wn_ascii

While most voters have chosen their favorite candidate for president,
several sites offer online tests for the undecided. In some cases, the
results can be quite contradictory. By Joanna Glasner.
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School Ups Grade by Going Online (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65266,00.html/wn_ascii

A program called HIPSchools lets parents track assignments and
communicate with teachers online. For a Brooklyn middle school with a
failing grade from the state, the system has meant a dramatic
turnaround. By Cyrus Farivar.
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Indecency Rules Enter Digital Age (Wired magazine 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/start.html?pg=2
The FCC leads the campaign to rein in 'indecency' on the airwaves. But
in a world of unlimited spectrum, some think shackling the First
Amendment is what's obscene. By Frank Rose from Wired magazine.
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U.S. Spies on Chat Rooms (Security Blanket Monday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,65305,00.html/wn_ascii

Could terrorists be plotting their next move online, obscured by the
'noise' of chat-room chatter? The U.S. government thinks that may be
the case and is funding a yearlong study on chat-room surveillance.
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India Emerges as Innovation Hub (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65269,00.html/wn_ascii

Indian labs churn out technologies to help users in developing
countries keep up with the information age even if they can't afford a
computer, don't live near a phone or speak a language that can't be
typed on a standard keyboard. By Manu Joseph.
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A MacGyver for the Third World (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65276,00.html/wn_ascii

An MIT inventor bent on public service creates practical solutions to
life-threatening problems around the world. Her approach: be a master
of the obvious. Second in a series profiling this year's MacArthur
'genius award' winners. By Kari Lynn Dean.
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People Are Human-Bacteria Hybrid (Med-Tech Center 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65252,00.html/wn_ascii

A group of British scientists believes people should be viewed as
'superorganisms,' made of conglomerations of human, fungal, bacterial
and viral cells. It's a sensible view, given that human bodies contain
more than 500 bacterial species. By Rowan Hooper.
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Oral History on the Go (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65230,00.html/wn_ascii

A project to record thousands of interviews with people across the
United States is expanding. StoryCorps originates from a soundproof
booth in Grand Central Station and now wants to go mobile. Rachel Metz
reports from New York.
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Leisure Suit Larry No Seducer (Joystick 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/games/0,2101,65293,00.html/wn_ascii

The latest games aimed at helping the namesake character get laid,
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude gets high marks for humor. But the
game seems too repetitive for most players' tastes. By Lore Sjöberg.
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Nations Plan for Net's Future (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65254,00.html/wn_ascii

A global summit aims to lay the groundwork for a new structure of
internet governance. Participants, however, have very different visions
for the future of broadband deployment, net telephony and other web
technologies. By Wendy M. Grossman.
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Predicting the Path of an Inferno (Wired magazine 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/fire.html
Flames leap 200 feet in the air and burn at 2,000 degrees. A rain of
fire sets thousands of acres ablaze. The smoke jumpers may get the
glory, but the battle is being won by the wildfire-simulation brigade.
By Michael Behar from Wired magazine.
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Can Math Help in Terror War? (Technology Sunday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65299,00.html/wn_ascii

A group of mathematicians look at how order theory -- a branch of
abstract math resembling classic military strategy -- might help in the
war on terror. Applying computers to problems could increase accuracy
of predictions and strategic moves.
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Experts Knock E-Vote Data Delay (Machine Politics Sunday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/evote/0,2645,65298,00.html/wn_ascii

Researchers trying to determine how the online format might increase
election participation and help disenfranchised voters say the DNC and
other election officials are stingy with the data after a Michigan
trial.
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Backup Voting -- Could Be a Mess (Politics 7:20 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65301,00.html/wn_ascii

A new national backup system meant to ensure that millions of eligible
voters are not mistakenly turned away from the polls this year as they
were in 2000 could cause Election Day problems.
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Few Americans Buy Meds Online (Med-Tech Center Sunday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65300,00.html/wn_ascii

Despite rising drug costs and increased pressure to import cheaper
drugs from abroad, a Pew study finds that not many Americans buy
prescription drugs through the internet. Most feel drugs purchased
online are not as safe.
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Curtain Call for Junk-Fax Blaster (Business 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/business/0,1367,65291,00.html/wn_ascii

The nation's most notorious junk-fax sender agrees to the terms of a
court order forcing it to stop its ink-depleting ways. But that hasn't
convinced a longtime Fax.com foe to drop a $2.2 trillion lawsuit
against the firm. By Ryan Singel.
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New PC in Old Mac Clothes (Cult of Mac 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/mac/0,2125,65294,00.html/wn_ascii

Tinkerer Iain Sharp couldn't bear to part with his first computer -- a
Mac SE/30 -- so he turned it into a powerful media server using a mini
PC motherboard and a software emulator. By Leander Kahney.
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Hollywood Files P2P Appeal (DAT's Entertainment Friday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,65290,00.html/wn_ascii

The entertainment industry asks the Supreme Court to reverse the
Grokster decision, which held that peer-to-peer networks are not liable
for copyright abuses of their users. By Michael Grebb.
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Makin' Woohoo (Culture Friday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65256,00.html/wn_ascii

Attempting an 'alternative lifestyle' in a game of The Sims 2 turns
out to be an awful lot like plain ol' life. Go figure. Commentary by
Gina Lynn.
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Podcasts: New Twist on Net Audio (DAT's Entertainment 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,65237,00.html/wn_ascii

A technology that delivers internet audio programs directly to iPods
and other MP3 players, podcasting is gaining a following among people
who can't listen to their favorite shows when they're live. By Daniel
Terdiman.
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Gamers Spar for National Honor (Joystick 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/games/0,2101,65274,00.html/wn_ascii

At the World Cyber Games 2004, the competition is about more than just
who wins at Counter-Strike or WarCraft III. Gamers are competing to
bring glory to their home countries. Daniel Terdiman reports from San
Francisco.
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Minniapple's Mini Radio Stations (On The Road - Great River Road 2:00
a.m. PDT)

http://go.hotwired.com/news/roadtrip/riverroad/0,2704,65137,00.html/wn_
ascii


The Walker Art Center wants to put the 'public' back in the public
airwaves. It's distributing tiny radio-transmitter kits so people can
broadcast from their own personal radio stations. Michelle Delio
reports from Minneapolis.
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NASA to Test Automated Mission (The Final Frontier 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/space/0,2697,65272,00.html/wn_ascii

Look, Ma, no hands! The U.S. space agency's latest spacecraft can run
an entire mission by itself. By Amit Asaravala.
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Drier Times Ahead in the West? (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65270,00.html/wn_ascii

Scientists unlock the rainfall history stored in tree rings and find
evidence of long dry periods in the past that dwarf the current drought
in the western United States. The research hints at another monster
drought to come. By Stephen Leahy.
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Prof Pursued by Mob of Bloggers (Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65250,00.html/wn_ascii

A Utah professor finds himself the target of an unexpected flood of
hate mail after posting a report defending the disputed Bush National
Guard memos. The incident is one of many examples of the power of
bloggers acting in unison. By Staci D. Kramer.
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Robotic Fish Gather Data, Prize (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65214,00.html/wn_ascii

Naomi Ehrich Leonard trains robotic fish to swim the oceans and glean
information. The fish also helped her pick up a $500,000 'genius' prize
from the MacArthur Foundation. Read the first in a series of Wired News
profiles featuring MacArthur winners. By Kari Lynn Dean.
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Induce Act Talks Sputter (Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65255,00.html/wn_ascii

Technology industry reps say they failed to reach consensus with the
entertainment industry on language for the proposed Induce Act, which
would make it illegal to encourage copyright infringement. By Katie
Dean.
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Hot Wheels Hit the Road (Wired magazine 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/microcar.html
It's cute, tiny and plastic. The kids love it. It also gets 70 miles
per gallon, and you can fit three in a single parking spot. Move over,
Mini: The Smart microcar could be the next big thing on America's
roads. By Douglas McGray from Wired magazine.
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NASA Hedges Bets on Hubble (The Final Frontier Wednesday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/space/0,2697,65257,00.html/wn_ascii

The space agency taps Lockheed Martin and MD Robotics to build robotic
technology it may use to repair the ailing Hubble Space Telescope. By
Amit Asaravala.
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RFID Driver's Licenses Debated (Security Blanket Wednesday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,65243,00.html/wn_ascii

Virginia legislators are weighing a plan to add biometric data and
radio signal emitting chips to licenses to prevent identity theft and
thwart terrorists. Critics say the plan could compromise privacy and
allow new varieties of fraud to flourish. By Mark Baard.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We've Created a Monster! (Wired magazine 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/scifi.html
Three programming geeks use monsters and metaphors to turn the Sci Fi
Channel into the best little horror house in the movie business. By
Gary Wolf from Wired magazine.
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Stem Cells to the Rescue (Med-Tech Center Thursday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65258,00.html/wn_ascii

A new study shows that embryonic stem cells can heal defective heart
cells in mice. It could be a new way to look at the potential healing
power of these controversial cells. By Kristen Philipkoski.
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Senate Wants Database Dragnet (Security Blanket 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,65242,00.html/wn_ascii

Lawmakers may soon pass a bill that would set up a huge network of
databases that law enforcement officials could tap to find terrorists.
But that kind of unfettered access to data about Americans raises
eyebrows. By Ryan Singel.
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Geek Trip Begins at Headwaters (On The Road - Great River Road 2:00
a.m. PDT)

http://go.hotwired.com/news/roadtrip/riverroad/0,2704,65134,00.html/wn_
ascii


The true beginnings of the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota --
a spot that was a source of much debate in the 19th century -- mark the
first stop in a 2,500-mile odyssey along the length of the mighty
waterway. By Michelle Delio.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Web Industry Still Flies Blind (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65240,00.html/wn_ascii

The commercial web is 10 years old, yet the online publishing industry
still hasn't figured out how to measure accurately the number of people
visiting each site. What's at stake? More than $8 billion a year.
Commentary by Adam L. Penenberg.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Incredible Shrinking Man (Wired magazine 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/drexler.html
K. Eric Drexler was the godfather of nanotechnology. But the MIT
prodigy who dreamed up molecular machines was shoved aside by big
science -- and now he's an industry outcast. By Ed Regis from Wired
magazine.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EU Wants Windows Cleaned of DRM (Business 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/business/0,1367,65158,00.html/wn_ascii

The acquisition by Microsoft and Time Warner of a company with a
significant portfolio of patents covering digital rights management
technologies generates scrutiny by European antitrust regulators. The
main focus of the investigation: Microsoft. By Wendy M. Grossman.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Making XP a Welcome Guest on Mac (Cult of Mac 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/mac/0,2125,65241,00.html/wn_ascii

Microsoft's new Virtual PC emulator lets an Apple computer run Windows
XP amazingly well. It's a great product for those occasions when you
must sully your Mac with a Windows-only application. By Leander Kahney.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Spyware Bill Gets House Nod (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65238,00.html/wn_ascii

Anti-spyware legislation sails through the House of Representatives,
with the bill's sponsor pressing to have both houses approve a law to
reign in invasive computer programs by the end of the year. By Michael
Grebb.
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3 Yanks Share Nobel for Physics (Technology Tuesday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65231,00.html/wn_ascii

Thirty years of research into the forces that hold everything together
pay off grandly for the three Americans, and science moves a step
closer to a grand unified theory of the universe.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Long Trip for Psychedelic Drugs (Med-Tech Center 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65025,00.html/wn_ascii

Researchers who believe psychedelic drugs like ecstasy and mushrooms
can help people with mental disorders are slowly getting federal
agencies on board. By Kristen Philipkoski.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nice Ride: The Hydrogen Gremlin (Autopia 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/autotech/0,2554,65080,00.html/wn_ascii

Long before President Bush ever put 'hydrogen' and 'economy' together
in a sentence, a group of students at the University of California, Los
Angeles, were revving the engine on their hydrogen-powered Gremlin. By
Amit Asaravala.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Changing at the Push of a Button (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65065,00.html/wn_ascii

You might not be able to morph your wallpaper just yet, but digital
ink is already threatening to make big changes in the way we experience
advertising. By Rachel Metz.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fable Feels Like Unfinished Tale (Joystick 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/games/0,2101,65081,00.html/wn_ascii

Fable succeeds as a plain-ol' fantasy action game where you kill
things to buy stuff to kill bigger things. But given the expectations
that preceeded it, the game is ultimately disappointing. Lore Sjöberg
reviews Fable.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rural Kids Print, Bind and Read (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,64627,00.html/wn_ascii

Anywhere Books sets up digital bookmobiles in developing countries
like Uganda, Ghana and Macedonia. The souped-up vans can print and bind
books on the spot, and children get the fresh-made publications for
free. By Katie Dean.
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U.S. Makes Spy Images Inside U.S. (Technology Sunday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65091,00.html/wn_ascii

In the name of homeland security, a little-known branch of the Defense
Department -- the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or America's
spy imagery agency -- is keeping a close eye on the United States.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Taking Aim at 'Arms Race of Spin' (Politics Sunday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65090,00.html/wn_ascii

Both sides of the political spectrum twist the truth in their media
briefs, according to a website that's tracking the spin. The system of
half truths makes it hard for ordinary folks to become informed.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Google Bows to Chinese Censorship (Politics Saturday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65089,00.html/wn_ascii

A new Chinese news service launched by Google displays no results from
websites banned by China's officials. The search engine that promises
to do no evil says, why include links that come up empty? Anti-
censorship advocates are watching.
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Reheating Big Bang's Leftovers (The Final Frontier 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/space/0,2697,65083,00.html/wn_ascii

Astronomers say they have found some of the earliest galaxies, which
will help to piece together the history of the early universe. Some
suspect galaxies took longer to form than previously thought. By John
Gartner.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Da Vinci Team Delays Launch (The Final Frontier Friday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/space/0,2697,65078,00.html/wn_ascii

A Canadian team vying for the $10 million X Prize is scrounging for
parts, while the heavy favorite, Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne, is ready
for a launch next week. By Dan Brekke.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Glaciers Quicken Pace to Sea (Technology 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65067,00.html/wn_ascii

Antarctic glaciers are moving faster as they melt, bringing more ice
into the oceans and causing sea levels to rise, according to a new
study. By Stephen Leahy.
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Stem Cells May Open Some Eyes (Med-Tech Center 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65070,00.html/wn_ascii

Scientists turn embryonic stem cells into retinal cells for the first
time. The groundbreaking work could be tested to treat human blindness
in two years if all goes well. By Kristen Philipkoski.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Campus Life Comes to Second Life (Joystick 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/games/0,2101,65052,00.html/wn_ascii

Teaching online isn't unusual, but professors are taking advantage of
Linden Lab's 3-D metaverse to shape meeting spaces to their needs and
provide an added dimension to learning. By Daniel Terdiman.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ins and Outs of Teledildonics (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65064,00.html/wn_ascii

Gina Lynn discovers remote (how shall we say this?) 'interaction'
technology with the Sinulator and finds herself on the cutting edge of
cybersex.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Forgotten Remembers to Surprise (Culture 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/culture/0,1284,65068,00.html/wn_ascii

The Forgotten plays by all the rules expected from paranormal
thrillers to deliver a nice punch, hold the melodrama. By Jason
Silverman.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Retailer Gets Out the Green Votes (Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65050,00.html/wn_ascii

Patagonia, a seller of outdoor equipment, says it wouldn't have a
business if the wilderness were paved over. So the company launches a
voter-education initiative on its website to support environment-
friendly candidates. By Louise Witt.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ovarian Transplant: First Birth (Med-Tech Center Thursday)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65071,00.html/wn_ascii

In a breakthrough that doctors say gives hope to many women who've
become infertile after cancer treatments, a woman who received an
ovarian tissue transplant gives birth to a healthy baby girl.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ireland Blocks Calls to Stop Scam (IT/IS Important Thursday)

http://go.hotwired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,65069,00.html/wn_ascii

In an effort to stem dialup modem fraud, Ireland blocks phone calls to
13 locations, including several South Pacific islands and the entire
nation of Mauritania. Operators must verify numbers dialed to these
locations before connecting the calls.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

E-Vote Fears Soar in Swing States (Machine Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/evote/0,2645,65044,00.html/wn_ascii

The Bush and Kerry campaigns, along with a range of advocacy groups,
are concerned with the integrity of voting technology -- particularly
in the states where votes matter most. By Jacob Ogles.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IPod Promoters Feel the Heat (Cult of Mac 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/mac/0,2125,65042,00.html/wn_ascii

FreeiPods.com is busier than ever, but users complain about spam,
mishandled accounts and shipping delays. The company admits there are
difficulties, but blames the problems on the site's popularity, not a
crumbling pyramid. By Leander Kahney.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A New Reason to Love Star Wars (DAT's Entertainment 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,65051,00.html/wn_ascii

The production of the original Star Wars was a disaster. But as the
riveting documentary Empire of Dreams shows, underdog director George
Lucas somehow pulled it off, which makes you appreciate the trilogy
even more. A review by Jason Silverman.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morphine Apparently in Your Head (Med-Tech Center 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65053,00.html/wn_ascii

Researchers find that humans produce their own morphine. If naysayers
finally believe it, the discovery could boost pain and addiction
research. By Kristen Philipkoski.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Broadcasters Gut Digital TV Bill (Politics 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65056,00.html/wn_ascii

The television industry scores an amendment to a bill that would have
forced them to give up lots of valuable spectrum to emergency workers.
The change all but guts the bill. Michael Grebb reports from
Washington.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sims 2: Face Lift of the Original (Joystick 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/games/0,2101,65038,00.html/wn_ascii

The sequel delivers all the stuff that made the original the best-
selling game of all time, and adds a couple of nice touches. By the
end, though, you realize the new version is just a tuneup of the old.
Lore Sjöberg reviews The Sims 2.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Automakers Give Biodiesel a Boost (Autopia 2:00 a.m. PDT)
http://go.hotwired.com/news/autotech/0,2554,65054,00.html/wn_ascii

DaimlerChrysler and General Motors help biodiesel -- fuel that can be
made from soybeans -- gain some traction in the United States and
Europe. By John Gartner.
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