Be humble

Philips has updated its dedicated Skype DECT handset offering with the launch of a PC-free Skype-certified DECT phone at IFA 2006.

The Philips VOIP841, works in a similar way to the company’s recently released Skype phone, however without the need to connect it to a PC to work. Users will be able to access their Skype account to make Skype or SkypeOut calls straight out of the box as long as they have a broadband connection. Other upgrades include a new 65k full colour screen.

The phone will be available for Christmas 2006.

Philips has also launched a VOIP080 handset. The classic phone design also features a roll-up cable management system so the USB cable can be wrapped around the phone, ensuring no more knots in the phone cable.
In addition to these new handsets, Philips also announced the launch of the The SHM3100, SHM3300 and SHM6100, a range of three universal hands-free multimedia headsets designed specifically for Internet based entertainment including VOIP calling, gaming, music and video.

Source: Pocket-lint.co.uk

A PRIEST has died after trying to demonstrate how Jesus walked......

Source: The Daily Record - NEWS - MIRACLE IS SUNK

..is found here.

...that human brains may have evolved with a “God spot”

Source: Guardian Unlimited

Tourism is down.  Doh - this is news?  Just ride through any PEI community and the usual summer hustle is not there.  Tourism operators seem to be blaming everyone and everything - except themselves.  We see operators wringing their hands in anguish as they appeal to the usual government trough for various tax concessions.  Now we see that some operators suggesting that beer and wine, if sold in corner stores, might solve the ongoing scramble for diminishing tourist dollars.

...and now - a more creative solution - the good hosts of Charlottetown have approved an additional tax on hotel rooms as an incentive.  Sure, tax me more, and I will rush to stay in Charlottetown.

When will these people understand?  Tourists are traveling less, and they are demanding more for their dollar.  Other places offer more.  Our beautiful beaches and rolling countryside is no longer enough. 

Why is it that certain tourist operators and even geographic regions of PEI are doing well - while others are not?  Look to Victoria by the Sea.  Look to those operators who are doing well in a diminishing demographic.  The answer is not beer in stores or more government handouts.  If the operators are not smart enough to figure it out, or if they cannot change their expectations to meet the current market - let them go.  Nature has a way of filling a vacuum.

Get ready for the Second Annual World Naked Gardening Day (WNGD)! People across the globe are encouraged, on Saturday, September 9, 2006 to tend their portion of the world’s garden clothed as nature intended.

Source: World Naked Gardening Day (WNGD)

Microsoft.com Canada has released pricing for Windows Vista. Windows Vista Ultimate is listed at $499 Canadian which translates into $450.36 in USD. Home Premium is listed at $299 or $269.86 USD, Vista Ultimate Upgrade is priced at $299 or $269.86 USD, while Home Premium Upgrade is $199 or $179.60 USD.

All Canadian to US conversions were done using the Bank of Canada website

~HB - this pricing information apparently appeared very briefly on Microsoft site, and was then pulled.

Think what it would be like if they could do the same with the clerks at the Motor Vehicle Department.

A new breed of permanently “cheerful” mouse is providing new hope for treatment of clinical depression, researchers say. 

Courtesy National Institutes of Health

---

The sci­en­tists stud­ied a gene called TREK-1, which can af­fect the flow of a brain chem­i­cal called ser­o­to­nin. This in turn in­flu­ences mood, sleep and sex­u­al­i­ty. 

 

Source: Researchers breed permanently “happy” mice

MP Searches Middle-East For Terrorism, Finds Israel....

Source: HezboLiberal Party of Canada

Oh dear, Hugh MacLeod is starting to bore me.