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12 Jan 2009 20:09

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Music, Offbeat, Tech: The dumbest idea for a software program, ever

  • Microsoft Songsmith sucks Songsmith, which creates music based on your ability to sing, could be a cool idea. But its downfall is the uber-cheeseball MIDI backing music, straight out of a Casiotone circa 1985 (disclosure from the author: I own this keyboard). source

12 Jan 2009 17:21

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Biz: Bernard Madoff gets to live the lavish life some more

  • $10 million The amount of Madoff’s bail. He remains free on bond. A judge declined a request to revoke bail source

12 Jan 2009 13:41

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U.S.: Another republican senator retires

  • George Voinovich of Ohio to peace out. Voinovich will step down after the 2010 election, noting that, despite his desire to serve his country, he wants to spend more time with his family. He’s the fourth republican to say they’re stepping down at the end of their term. A number of names are cropping up to replace Voinovich in the U.S. Senate, most unlikely being Joe the Plumber. Isn’t it bad enough that Joe’s a war correspondent? source

12 Jan 2009 13:30

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Offbeat, Tech: Attempting to build a classroom of dorks into flirts

  • 440 German übernerds got trained in basic social skills source

12 Jan 2009 12:52

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Offbeat, U.S.: Obama’s second-toughest issue, after the economy

  • We’re closing in on it. This has been tougher than finding a Commerce Secretary.
  • President-elect Barack Obama • on finding the right First Dog to bring into the White House • source

12 Jan 2009 12:43

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Offbeat, U.S.: No Obama for inauguration rehearsal? No problem!

These are not the Obamas. But they got to pretend to be on Sunday. source

12 Jan 2009 12:35

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U.S.: The math of getting a traffic ticket in North Carolina

  • -1% drop in revenue in N.C. one year leads to a … source
 

12 Jan 2009 12:20

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Tech: Microsoft’s Windows 7 Beta saga goes on

  • Want the beta? Now’s the time. Microsoft formally apologized for the delays in getting the software released to customers in a smooth fashion. They will let an unlimited number of people download the Vista-killer in the next couple of weeks. The MS Web site has been incredibly slow since the Beta’s launch and the company was initially afraid it couldn’t handle the load. source
  • Want the beta? Now’s the time. Microsoft formally apologized for the delays in getting the software released to customers in a smooth fashion. They will let an unlimited number of people download the Vista-killer in the next couple of weeks. The MS Web site has been incredibly slow since the Beta’s launch and the company was initially afraid it couldn’t handle the load.
  • This poor man has to do PR magic Brandon LeBlanc, a Windows communications manager, tried calming down the masses: “I know many of you had issues with the Windows 7 beta site of the last 24 hours,” he said. “As you may have noticed the download site has been up and running smoothly since this morning. That said, we apologize for the inconvenience that it caused some of you.” source

12 Jan 2009 12:12

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Biz, U.S.: Oh wait! Obama wants me to release those bailout funds!

  • $350 billion was just signed off on by Bush source

12 Jan 2009 11:45

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U.S.: I’m outta here! This is on that Obama guy’s watch now.

  • I don’t intend to make the request unless he specifically asks me to make it.
  • George W. Bush • on the release of $350 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program funds. If the money were to be released today, it wouldn’t be available until after Obama takes office. Obama has yet to request the money. • source