This is a posting transferred from my eContent Blog on MSN. It was orginally posted on June 16 2006 …
I
had just returned yesterday from Shanghai.

 

While in Shanghai, the presidents of six countries
including the likes of China, Russia, and Iran held a security summit.
Now in my book, given the countries involved … that is big news.
However, the web sites upon which I read news (CNN International and
the Herald Tribune), had nary a word about this event. I checked quite
a few other web news services, and those originating from the Europe or
North American totally ignored the meeting.

 

I was astounded … is this the dumbing down of the
news? I could find lots or articles about Britany Spears and her baby,
and World Cup coverage.

—————–

On another note, I got checked over by the Russian
Secret Police. As I returned to my hotel from a walk on Wednesday, I
went between two parked limosines (part of a motorcade). As I got near
the near the cars, some obviously important gentleman came out of the
front door of my hotel … not even ten feet away.

 

Now here is where I show my own ignorance … I
knew they were important, but had no idea who I had just passed. When I
got inside my hotel, I asked the nearest bellman. The answer was I had
just passed the prime minister of Russia!

 

Anyhow, the Russian Secret Police, and all the
Chinese Police (about a dozen) apparently decided I looked harmless …
as they let me get that close. In retrospect, I am amazed. I can not
believe I would ever be allowed to get that close to Vice President
Cheney … just by chance.

This
is a sad day. It is the day we must say "Good-Bye" to Bell Labs. In the
early 1970’s while in junior high school, I watched science movies that
talked about the accomplishments of Bell Labs. This organization was a
fountain of innovation, but not any more …

 

From the N.Y. Times via the blog, Total Picture Radio:

 

"“For 44 years, a six-story,
two-million-square-foot structure nestled here in a 472-acre
exquisitely pastoral setting was a habitat for technological ferment.
The vaunted Bell Labs, whose scientists invented the laser and
developed fiber optic and satellite communications, touch-tone dialing
and cellphones, modems and microwaves, was housed in the glass
building, set far off the road, providing the community with some
luster — not to mention a tax bonanza. These days, the building’s
lobby, with its magnificent glass ceiling, is off limits to all but
those having formal appointments with Lucent Technologies, which
disassembled and dispersed much of Bell Labs after the collapse of the
technology market in 2000. "Few outsiders have viewed its breathtaking
scale or walked along the perimeters to admire displays of
technological breakthroughs like a 1929 movie camera or an early office
switchboard straight out of "Bells Are Ringing." But now, the building
has been sold, and the public will be invited in for at least one date
while it remains, which may not be much longer. The developer who will
create a future for the property says the structure will have to be
demolished.”

I’m
about the head off to my cabin near the Canadian border, and earlier
this afternoon I stopped by the library and checked out four books,
including two sci-fi novels. So as I escape to the northwoods for some
much needed R&R, I give you this link from USC / Webcast (a little
lighter fair for the July 4th holiday)

This is a posting transferred from my eContent Blog on MSN. It was orginally posted on July 09 2006 …
My
first continuous week off for vacation in 12 months ends tonight. As
opposed to all the various web and software projects, what did I
accomplish on vacation??