Submission + - MS Patent Applications Reveal Search Technology
eldavojohn writes: "In the roughly 90 patents they applied for on November 2, 2006, Microsoft reveals that it is apparently pushing its research in the search engine market. There are a few patents that reveal improved ranking methods and document classification but the real interesting ones revolve around linking related queries, optimizing search, identifying results that are spam and using a Bayesian classifier to measure feedback from the user. If that's not enough, there's even a few I don't quite understand. Another notable Microsoft application for a patent is the model for assisting children in authoring stories so you can't accuse Microsoft of not thinking of the children. Microsoft regularly applies for many patents but never so many revolving around search."
Submission + - Melting Arctic ice opens shipping lanes
OriginalArlen writes: Polar bears may be threatened with extinction, but the retreating Arctic ice is also opening new shipping lanes, according to this report by MSNBC. Proof that climate change need not be all bad news?
Submission + - Nano-optical switches to restore sight?
Roland Piquepaille writes: "Californian researchers are now using light to control biological nanomolecules and proteins. They think it can help them to develop treatments for eye diseases, such as the loss of the light detectors in the retina which is a major cause of blindness. So they envision to put some of their nano-photoswitches in the cells of the retina, 'restoring light sensitivity in people with degenerative blindness such as macular degeneration.' It will be a long time before this comes out of the lab, but read more for additional references and pictures of what you can do with these photoswitches."
Submission + - Songbird - The Firefox of multimedia players?
toogreen writes: I'm surprised I haven't yet seen anything posted on Slashdot about Songbird... It's a new iTunes-style app, but it has many new innovative features. I gave it a try today and I must say I'm quite impressed. It's just a 0.2 version (Developer's preview) but It already delivers an interesting experience. In a nutshell: It looks and works somehow like iTunes, but its based on the Firefox code. It also uses the same Add-on system for its extensions. So just imagine putting Firefox inside iTunes, and add features like the ones in Amarok, as well as a way to detect multimedia files inside web pages and let you download them. It also lets you browse shoutcast radios just as if you were browsing your local library. Quite impressive overall. Not to mention that it's available for Windows, Mac and Linux. I must also say that Songbird is the nicest looking app I've ever seen running under Linux. Here is their homepage:
http://www.songbirdnest.com/
http://www.songbirdnest.com/
Submission + - Novell wants your opinion
M$ Hater writes: Novell wants your opinion on the m$ deal. Check it out here. http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/tip/18041.html
Giving the Gift of Ubuntu Linux for Christmas? 235
Father Christmas asks: "This Christmas I have decided to give all of my friends and relatives Ubuntu Linux CDs from the Ubuntu ShipIt service. In addition, I plan to help them backup their old systems, install Ubuntu, and then introduce them to using Linux for their everyday tasks. What sort of post-installation changes should be made to Ubuntu to make it easy for everyday people to use? What extra software packages should be installed? Should I stick with the default Gnome installation, or would KDE be a better choice? Is there anything else that should be done to maximize the utility of their systems, as well as make their first experience with Linux a great one?"
