d'oh.. www.duckduckgo.com

Fear not. If you don't mind editing about:config, you can change the default from Google to any other you choose. I like www.duckduck.go for the privacy aspect, but it lacks the comprehensiveness of the big G, Y, or B. Like you, I don't want google hoovering up anything I type in the URL bar.

Here's the link: http://www.firefoxfacts.com/2008/01/13/change-default-search-in-firefox/

Detailed maps of valuable deposits would be proprietary, I should think. The US Geological Survey does provide maps of mineral resources.

Cute snark, but following your thought don't you imply that we the electorate can be effectively dealt with as if we were potted palms?
If true, I shiver down to my roots...

After reading this earlier Slashdot story, I wrote all three of both our Vermont congressmen and urged them to reconsider support for PIPA and SOPA. The only reply I received was from Sen. Patrick Leahy.

Here's a snippet from TFA with a relevant notion: contacting your representative can't hurt (emphasis added):

"[...]However, sponsors of the bill have heard concerns about its effect on the domain name system from fellow lawmakers, Internet engineers, human rights groups and "a number of Vermonters."," [Leahy] said.

After reading the earlier Slashdot story, I wrote all three of both our Vermont congressmen and urged them to reconsider support for PIPA and SOPA. The only reply I received was from Sen. Patrick Leahy.

Here's a snippet from TFA with a relevant notion: contacting your representative can't hurt:

If one reads to page 2 of tfa, they only claim the technique works well in this instance. They go on:

and

So yes, the article is a bit breathless, but if utilizing GPUs helps cure my potentially impending genetic disorder, I'm all for it.

After read tfa, I concede your and the AC's point. As bpjones sagely notes below, though, we need better design goals.

The idea that we should promote drowsy driving by making it (hypothetically) less fatal to do so is laughably absurd. Sometimes a driver needs to swerve to miss an accident occurring--no time to signal, so into the pileup we go? Hmm...

I'm no expert, but Microsoft shares split 2 for 1 on Jan. 27, 2003. Does your comparison take that into account?
This info was Scroogled from http://www.microsoft.com/investor/Stock/StockSplit/default.aspx