Quick Hits

Ok, I've never tried a quicke blog, so here goes.

First the technology news: ZDnet reports that Microsoft is working with OEMs to develop a Mini Tablet PC. According to the article the form factor is rumored to be bigger than a PDA but smaller than a regular-sized Tablet PC. If it's true then we may finally see the type of device I have long been looking for, with enough screen size to make web surfing and other common tasks actually doable on a portable device, but still small and light enough to easily carry around the house or on a trip. No details were announced but if they can fit a keyboard on it (a slider maybe?) and deliver respectable battery life then count me in.

Technolgy news part 2: Oops, looks like Lexis-Nexis might have kind of accidently leaked personal data on about 310,000 consumers, sort of. Well, what can you say really. It's only our social security numbers and bank account numbers and credit card numbers, etc... Is that such a big deal? The part I like about this whole mess is that the credit bureaus tell us that if our information has been compromised we can put a freeze on our credit reports. This means that no one can open a new credit card or take out a new loan in our name without our authorization. Oh, and by the way, if we do want to give our authorization to open a new account then there will be $10.00 charge for each new account opened. What a deal! Some information broker screws up and we're the ones that have to pay the credit bureaus to keep our records secure. In the business world that 's what they call "having you by the balls."

Financial News: Stocks finished sharply lower today on news that American's aren't buying enough stuff. So America I begging you, I'm pleading with you, I'm down on my news. Please, please go out and buy more stuff, will ya'. My retirement is depending on it.

State News: Dear friends, as we gather here today to remember the once promising career of Governor Arnold let us take a moment to consider the notion of hubris, and let us also consider knowing how and when to pick your fights. As it becomes clear that the governership of Arnold Schwarzenegger is now effectively dead in the water, and as it is only right that we give the democrats a few moments to gather 'round his grave and begin their victory dance, let us further reflect on just what it is that they have won. The budget is stil a mess, more bonds will be issued to get us through the next fiscal year, and the power brokers that were pulling the strings yesterday will still be pulling the strings tomorrow. We bid you farewell, Arnold, and give thanks to the status quo.

Local News: Dateline San Jose, California 10 April 2005. The Cheerleaders of San Jose State have been suspended by the University after performing a routine at a basketball game that one elderly fan described as "vulgar" and a "burlesque, with bumps and grinds." The suspension comes amid a recent flurry of complaints about the general moral decline of our country and its institutions. "Whatever happened to wholesomeness" one man complained. "Why I've got a daughter myself and I can tell you I'd never allow her to go around flaunting herself like that, dancing in public and making herself up to be sexually attractive. God only knows what's going through the minds of those men." Asked to comment his daughter added "But Dad, I'm 37 years old." Reminded that audiences once considered the dancing of Elvis Presley obscene only later to see it as a no more than a tempest in a teapot, the man replied "No daugther of mine. No sir, no daughter of mine." The University will decide later this year on further guidelines and the future of the cheerleading program. Meanwhile I'm just sitting here kicking myself and asking how I could have been so foolish as to miss that game.