The Mac lovers of Microsoft: "People sometimes stare when Microsoft Corp. executive Tim McDonough opens his laptop in meetings. But that's probably to be expected when someone uses a Mac PowerBook in the center of the Windows world."

Rural Cambodia, Though Far Off the Grid, Is Finding Its Way Online MrHatken writes "An interesting combination of wireless, wheels, and store-and-forward email: 'In Cambodia, motorbikes act as routers for a store-and-forward email system: The New York Times reports on a system that allow remote villages in Cambodia to send and receive email via Wi-Fi-equipped motorbikes. The Motoman system converges in the provincial capital where a satellite-enabled school uploads and downloads email for the remote recipients. The system is funded in part through U.S. benefactors who aren't just sending money; they're spending time there as well, and helping to improve the quality of medicine and people's livelihoods.'"

Wired 12.02: Three Blind Phreaks: "How the phone-phreaking Badir brothers ran rings around Israel's telcos for six scam-filled years."

Monster Survey Compares Vacation Time Around the Globe
MAYNARD, Mass. - August 27, 2003 - Confirming beliefs that Americans spend more time in the office than their European counterparts, a recent poll of more than 86,000 workers worldwide reveals that 70 percent of Americans and 61 percent of Canadians have 15 days or less of vacation time per year. Comparatively, 82 percent of Europeans receive a minimum of three weeks (a). The Monster Meter, a product of Monster, the leading global online careers site and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST), is an ongoing series of online polls that gauge users' opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy, and the workplace.
In the United States, 40 percent of workers respond as only having 10 days or less of vacation time during the entire year, while 30 percent of Canadians take similar time away from the office. However, in Europe, just 5 percent of respondents have 10 days or less of vacation. In fact, 61 percent of workers in Europe enjoy 26 days or more of annual leave. In the U.S., that category accounted for just 1 percent, and in Canada, 11 percent.

"Historically, many European governments have regulated mandatory vacation packages to their employees - a tradition that remains despite heightened unemployment," said Jeff Taylor, Founder and Chief Monster. "The U.S. work culture, among the strongest worldwide, has been defined as driven by high demands, tight deadlines, and long hours. While today's economy limits the amount of vacation time some employees were accustomed to a few years ago, it is important for employers to find other ways to recognize hard work and dedication."

The Monster Meter asked American, Canadian, and European Monster users:

How many days of vacation time do you get per year?

Monster U.S. (b) Monster Canada (c) Monster Europe (d)

10 days or fewer 40% 30% 5%

Between 11 and 15 days 30% 31% 4%

Between 16 and 20 days 17% 16% 9%

Between 21 and 25 days 12% 12% 21%

26 days or more 1% 11% 61%

These findings follow the release of Monster's 2003 work/life survey results, which found that 57 percent of Americans consider themselves overworked (e), 80 percent of Americans are unhappy with their work/life balance (f), and 71 percent admit to clocking more than 40 hours per week (g). Yet another proof point that U.S. workers are struggling to achieve work/life balance in today's continued slow economic period.

For more information on the 2003 Global Vacation Survey including specific country results within Europe or to view the complete 2003 Work/Life Survey, please contact Kevin Mullins at 978-461-8751 or kevin.mullins@monster.com.

(a) Several European countries mandate a minimum annual vacation leave for employees.

(b) The results of the Monster Meter are based on 72,713 votes cast by Monster U.S. users from July 7th to July 14th, 2003 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. Anyone interested in voting in Monster's current online poll may do so by logging onto Monster at www.monster.com. Users may review the results of this poll by going to forums.monster.com. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.

(c) The results of the Monster Meter are based on 3,770 votes cast by Monster.ca users from July 7th to July 21st, 2003 on the Monster.ca homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(d) The results of the Monster Meter are based on 10,251 votes cast across 13 Monster Europe sites: users from July 7th to July 21st, 2003 on the corresponding homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(e) These results are based on 61,346 votes cast by Monster users from April 14th to April 21st, 2003 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(f) These results are based on 36,128 votes cast by Monster users from June 16th to June 23rd, 2003 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(g) These results are based on 64,324 votes cast by Monster users from March 24th to March 31st, 2003 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | DVD teenager seeks compensation: "A Norwegian who cracked the security codes of DVDs is seeking compensation from police after twice being acquitted of computer piracy. "

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Whale explodes in Taiwanese city: "A dead sperm whale has exploded while being delivered to a research centre near the southwestern city of Tainan."

BBC SPORT | Football | African Cup of Nations | New kit may be banned: "Fifa President Sepp Blatter says the new all-in-one red and green bodysuit contravenes the rules of the game. "

BBC NEWS | Business | Annan calls for development push: "'It is time,' Mr Annan told the World Economic Forum in Davos, 'to rebalance the international agenda.' "

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | In pictures: Close-ups of Mars: "The pictures, taken with its High Resolution Stereo Camera, show craters, a volcano and features thought to be created by flowing water. "

BBC NEWS | Technology | Pentagon e-voting plan 'flawed': "'Using a voting system based upon the internet poses a serious and unacceptable risk for election fraud.
'It is simply not secure enough for something as serious as the election of a government official.'
The report recommends that the Serve project be shut down and nothing like it be tried until 'both the internet and the world's home computer infrastructure have been fundamentally redesigned, or some other unforeseen security breakthroughs appear.'
Despite the criticisms, the Pentagon is standing by the project. "

BBC NEWS | Health | Giant tumour removed from woman: "A Romanian woman has had a giant tumour the weight of a person removed in a marathon operation. "

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Rare Marley songs to be released: "Rare and previously unheard tracks from Bob Marley's early years are to get official releases for the first time. "

Forbes.com: U.S. Wants You--Not WHO--To Fight The Fat: "While the U.S., with 65% of adults overweight, is the world leader in fat people, the WHO says the obesity problem is global. In 1995, there were an estimated 200 million obese adults worldwide. By 2000, that number had increased to over 300 million, according to the WHO Web site. 'Contrary to conventional wisdom, the obesity epidemic is not restricted to industrialized societies; in developing countries, it is estimated that over 115 million people suffer from obesity-related problems,' the WHO says. "

BBC NEWS | Europe | Woman 'too smart' to be victim: "A man accused of domestic violence has been released after a Spanish court ruled that his wife was too well dressed to be a victim of such abuse."

BBC NEWS | Americas | Bush offers stark choice to voters: "In November, Americans will vote on two issues: Whether Iraq was a disaster and whether the economy is on the mend.
If Iraq is not a disaster and the economy is on the mend, President Bush will be re-elected, and this speech won't make much difference one way or another.
But if there is some sort of disaster in Iraq or the economy clearly hasn't gotten better and more jobs aren't created, no amount of rhetoric will save this president.
This is after all a 50-50 nation, split down the middle. It won't take much to tip the election one way or the other."

Fool.com: Lessons From the Donald [Commentary] January 14, 2004: "NBC's newest offering to the reality TV arena, The Apprentice, offers up the usual dose of drama, competition, eye-popping prizes, and a surprising side order: some valuable investing lessons."

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Earth 'entering uncharted waters': "The Earth has entered a new era, one in which human beings may be the dominant force, say four environmental leaders.
In the International Herald Tribune, they say the uncertainty, magnitude and speed of change in many of the Earth's systems is without precedent. "

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Belly dancers lose court battle: "A top belly dancer commands about $3,145 a night - a price foreign dancers had been happy to undercut. "

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Stolen kiss lands Chinese school in court A Chinese couple have sued their former high school after it broadcast a video of them kissing on campus as an example of "irregular action".

BBC NEWS | Business | Tech stalwarts deliver the goods

BBC NEWS | Americas | Crimes and misdemeanours in New York: "Some of the stories are no doubt apocryphal. But they're easily woven into city folklore, thriving on popular perceptions that New York is going the way of Singapore: a place where spontaneity is strictly regulated in the name of quality of life"

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | World press pans US Mars shot: "'The US President may figure that a pre-emptive strike against the Martians should occur while we have the size advantage,' "

BBC NEWS | Americas | Designer modifies 9/11 memorial: "Architect Michael Arad has updated his winning design for the main memorial in New York to the victims of 11 September after criticism from victims' families."

2004 North American International Auto Show

BBC NEWS | Europe | Dutch deny 'war on white socks': "White socks, particularly under suits, would be seen as a style crime in many parts of the world. "

Xenadrine Ephedrine Free - Why Use Ephedra Free Xenadrine? Ephedrine Update: Because of ephedrine related issues (that's my guess), Cytodyne has now discontinued the ever popular Xenadrine RFA-1. Now, the only Xenadrine available from Cytodyne is Xenadrine EFX, which is the ephedra free version. This, really is no surprise following Muscletech recent formulation change of their original Hydroxcyut to epherdra free hydroxycut.

The original Xenadrine RFA-1 contained ephedrine. The new Xenadrine EFX by Cytodyne has completely gotten rid of ephedrine, and in place of it, a good mixture of better ingredients. Read our Xenadrine EFX review here. Being ephedrine free, Xenadrine EFX is a much 'friendlier' diet and weight loss supplement than the original RFA-1.

The new ephedrine free Xenadrine so far has shown promising results, with many users reporting excellent weightloss results. Clinical studies have also reported exceptional results with Xenadrine ephedrine free.

BBC NEWS | Health | Orgasms for Women 'at the touch of a button'

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Q&A: Iran election crisis

BBC NEWS | Americas | US war in Iraq 'strategic error': "A report published by the US Army War College has criticised the war against Iraq as a strategic error."

Home & Real Estate: "Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration insists the levels of 13 pollutants found in salmon are too low for serious concern, this new international study shows that farm-raised salmon have enough dioxins and other potentially cancer-causing pollutants that the researchers are cautioning consumers to eat salmon no more than once a month. "

THE VICE GUIDE TO SHIT: "How often have you found yourself at some horrible family event having mind-numbing conversations with 300-pound behemoths about the minutiae of pregnancy and babies? If you listen closely you'll realize all their talk of the runs, abdominal pain, and relaxed deep-breathing techniques is, in essence, all about shit. They are just repackaging the graphically scatological in Mommyspeak. As Freud brilliantly pointed out: Penises, infants, and poop are all solid bodies that stimulate membranous passages. Every conversation anyone has ever had always comes back to shit. Therefore, young urbanite, we provide you with the A to Z of poo. "

Don'ts: "What the fuck? Is this guy on a dare? He's got Jamaica-colored accessories and a shirt that essentially says, 'Niggers can't fight,' like he's in Die Hard 3. "

BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Iraqi anger after protest deaths: "In nearby Basra, an Iraqi with US residency who came to the country in April to work on reconstruction projects has been shot dead, along with a friend, the coalition said.
Correspondents said Majid Hanoun's death fitted the pattern of insurgents gunning down people collaborating with the US occupation of Iraq, ranging from local city officials to police and foreign contractors. "

BBC NEWS | Business | Feeble growth in US jobs market The statistics show that robust economic growth is still not bringing employment opportunities for ordinary Americans.

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Bush 'plotted Iraq war from start': "A top official sacked from the US Government has accused President Bush of planning for an invasion of Iraq within days of coming to office.
Former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill said Mr Bush was looking for an excuse to oust Saddam Hussein."

BBC NEWS | Technology | Phones get to know their place: "Phones get to know their place"

BBC NEWS | Americas | Chileans seal record with a kiss Nearly 9,000 Chileans kissed their way into the record books after smooching simultaneously in a Santiago street.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Women put off by gadget shopping: "A new generation of tech-savvy women is emerging but they are still being treated like idiots when it comes to selling gadgets, say experts."

BBC NEWS | In Depth | Vote USA 2004

BBC NEWS | UK | Lust declared virtue, not vice: "Lust has been wrongly branded a vice and should be 'reclaimed for humanity' as a life-affirming virtue, according to a top philsopher."

BBC NEWS | Americas | Cuba cracks down on internet use: "The bill says the state phone company Etecsa will use technical means to detect and impede access."

The Archive of Endangered, Special or Fun Words

BBC NEWS | Americas | Rogue mountain lion killed in US

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Bangladesh bans Islam sect books The Ahmadiyya movement, which claims 200 million members worldwide, was founded in the 19th century in what is now Pakistan.

It vows to revive Islam by stressing non-violence and tolerance.

But it also believes there can be prophets after Mohammed, which mainstream Islam regards as blasphemous.

BBC NEWS | Business | Ethical shopping 'hits big brands': "Boycotts by ethical shoppers cost big brands at least 2.6bn pounds a year, claims the Co-operative Bank."

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Richer, stouter, and no happier: Mo' Money, Mo' Problems
"The Worldwatch Institute says more than 25% of the world's people now enjoy the style which used to belong to the rich.
But it says rising obesity and debt, and increasing pressures on time, are reducing many people's quality of life. "

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | New giant squid predator found: "A little known shark that lives in waters off Antarctica is only the second creature known to science that hunts giant squid for food. "

BBC NEWS | Health | 'Aggressive' e-mail health threat: "Some companies have recently taken the step of banning the use of e-mail for internal communications between colleagues on the same site - claiming that it is fast becoming more of a burden to efficient working and teambuilding than a boon."

MSNBC - The Dean Dilemma: "In any case, Clark has the potential to be Trippi's—and Dean's—worst nightmare, and a comeuppance of a sort as well: a second, fast-closing Web-based outsider who can, in ways Dean cannot, appeal to insiders while at the same time 'plugging that hole' Dean has on defense and foreign policy."

BBC NEWS | Americas | Reunited twins embrace entwined future: "The two students are at neighbouring universities in Long Island, New York. They share a birthday, they are exactly the same height, and they both love hip-hop. The most important thing they share is the same Mexican mother."

BBC NEWS | Programmes | This World | Undercover with the Hells Angels