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