Technology thread...
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Littledragon
Above The Law
tora said:Technoogical progress is moving onHow to combine business with pleasure?(Unlike Handsome Rob from the Italian Job
Wow great invention you made Tora!
Littledragon
Above The Law
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new deep-sea research vessel will be able to carry people to 99 percent of the ocean floor, diving deeper than the famed Alvin that pioneered the study of seafloor vents, plate tectonics and deep ocean creatures over the past 40 years.
The new American submersible will provide the tools to reach "not for the stars but for the depths," Robert Gagosian, president of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, said Friday at a briefing at the National Science Foundation.
France, Russia and Japan also operate deep sea research vessels and China is building one, officials said. The new ship will have similar capabilities.
It will dive thousands of feet deeper than Alvin, carry more scientific instruments, communicate more quickly and stay down longer.
Alvin "has been a trusted trouper for four decades and a good friend, but science advances and so does technology," said Arden Bement, acting director of NSF.
Design for the Alvin Replacement Vessel is under way with launch expected in 2008, officials said.
The vessel is expected to be able to descend more than 21,000 feet (6,300 meters ) into the ocean. Alvin dives to just short of 15,000 feet (4,500 meters). The new capability will still remain short of the deepest spot in the oceans, more than 36,000 feet (10,800 meters) in the Mariana Trench.
Only the bathyscaphe Trieste -- in 1960 -- has carried people to that depth, taking just two people there, a fraction of the 12 who have walked on the moon.
The new vessel is expected to cost $21.6 million, paid for by the NSF, with additional funding from Woods Hole for instruments, lighting and sensors. It will operate from the Research Vessel Atlantis, the same ship that now tends Alvin. Operating costs are expected to be similar to the current approximately $22,000-a-day for the Atlantis plus $10,000-a-day for the research vessel.
The NSF will own the new vessel but it will be operated by Woods Hole, which currently coordinates use of the Navy-owned Alvin. Once the new vessel is in use, the Navy will decide Alvin's future.
Dan Fornari of Woods Hole said there also are plans for a remotely operated vessel to explore the ocean's deepest trenches to study the methane hydrate there as a possible energy source, the exchange of fluids between the sea and the Earth's mantle and the creatures that live in those lightless depths.
Officials said the new vessel's name has not been selected, although an artist's drawing of the planned design carried the name Alvin.
The name Alvin was bestowed whimsically by scientists amused by a popular song featuring a singing chipmunk. Some have suggested the new vessel be named for one of that chipmunk's companions, Simon or Theodore.
Launched in 1964, Alvin has conducted 4,025 dives and spent more than 27,000 hours submerged, including 16,000 on the ocean bottom. It has carried 12,068 people beneath the waves on missions to study biology, geology, chemistry, search and recovery and other topics.
Just two years after it was launched, Alvin was sent to the coast of Spain to help recover a hydrogen bomb lost in the sea off the coast of Spain after a midair collision of a U.S. bomber and a tanker aircraft.
On July 6, 1967 the vessel was attacked by a swordfish, which became entangled in the submersible's equipment. The fish came to the surface with Alvin and became dinner for the crew.
During launch for a dive in October 1968, Alvin's support cables failed and the vessel sank in 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) of water. The pilot escaped but the vessel remained on the bottom until the following year. Lunches left on board were found to be soggy but edible, thanks to near freezing temperatures and lack of oxygen at the bottom.
The new American submersible will provide the tools to reach "not for the stars but for the depths," Robert Gagosian, president of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, said Friday at a briefing at the National Science Foundation.
France, Russia and Japan also operate deep sea research vessels and China is building one, officials said. The new ship will have similar capabilities.
It will dive thousands of feet deeper than Alvin, carry more scientific instruments, communicate more quickly and stay down longer.
Alvin "has been a trusted trouper for four decades and a good friend, but science advances and so does technology," said Arden Bement, acting director of NSF.
Design for the Alvin Replacement Vessel is under way with launch expected in 2008, officials said.
The vessel is expected to be able to descend more than 21,000 feet (6,300 meters ) into the ocean. Alvin dives to just short of 15,000 feet (4,500 meters). The new capability will still remain short of the deepest spot in the oceans, more than 36,000 feet (10,800 meters) in the Mariana Trench.
Only the bathyscaphe Trieste -- in 1960 -- has carried people to that depth, taking just two people there, a fraction of the 12 who have walked on the moon.
The new vessel is expected to cost $21.6 million, paid for by the NSF, with additional funding from Woods Hole for instruments, lighting and sensors. It will operate from the Research Vessel Atlantis, the same ship that now tends Alvin. Operating costs are expected to be similar to the current approximately $22,000-a-day for the Atlantis plus $10,000-a-day for the research vessel.
The NSF will own the new vessel but it will be operated by Woods Hole, which currently coordinates use of the Navy-owned Alvin. Once the new vessel is in use, the Navy will decide Alvin's future.
Dan Fornari of Woods Hole said there also are plans for a remotely operated vessel to explore the ocean's deepest trenches to study the methane hydrate there as a possible energy source, the exchange of fluids between the sea and the Earth's mantle and the creatures that live in those lightless depths.
Officials said the new vessel's name has not been selected, although an artist's drawing of the planned design carried the name Alvin.
The name Alvin was bestowed whimsically by scientists amused by a popular song featuring a singing chipmunk. Some have suggested the new vessel be named for one of that chipmunk's companions, Simon or Theodore.
Launched in 1964, Alvin has conducted 4,025 dives and spent more than 27,000 hours submerged, including 16,000 on the ocean bottom. It has carried 12,068 people beneath the waves on missions to study biology, geology, chemistry, search and recovery and other topics.
Just two years after it was launched, Alvin was sent to the coast of Spain to help recover a hydrogen bomb lost in the sea off the coast of Spain after a midair collision of a U.S. bomber and a tanker aircraft.
On July 6, 1967 the vessel was attacked by a swordfish, which became entangled in the submersible's equipment. The fish came to the surface with Alvin and became dinner for the crew.
During launch for a dive in October 1968, Alvin's support cables failed and the vessel sank in 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) of water. The pilot escaped but the vessel remained on the bottom until the following year. Lunches left on board were found to be soggy but edible, thanks to near freezing temperatures and lack of oxygen at the bottom.
Littledragon
Above The Law
REDMOND, Washington (AP) -- Almost since the day Microsoft Corp. released its Windows XP computer operating system nearly three years ago, it has been a favorite target of hackers and critics eager to stress its numerous security shortcomings.
Now, more than two years after promising to do something about it, Microsoft is about to release the biggest update ever for Windows. The free upgrade is designed to make users safer from cyberattacks by sealing entries to viruses, better protecting personal data and fending off spyware.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said the upgrade, dubbed Service Pack 2, revises less than 5 percent of the millions of lines of code that make up Windows XP -- but adds more value than any update the company has ever done.
Some of the nearly $1 billion that's gone into Service Pack 2 also will be used on future versions of Windows. But Gates said it was absolutely necessary to give away the security advances now because of the barrage of attacks plaguing Windows-based computers.
"If we weren't viewing this as such a key priority, then we wouldn't be giving it away as a free thing," Gates said in an interview with The Associated Press.
The long-awaited update is due to be completed "in the coming days," Microsoft senior product manager Matt Pilla said.
The company could not be more specific. Service Pack 2 has been delayed as programmers have worked to make sure the new security safeguards would not keep people's favorite applications -- such as online games and music download services -- from working right. But such delays aren't unusual in the software industry, and especially with such a massive undertaking as this.
For regular users, the most noticeable change will be a series of new prompts users will see. The idea is that if users have to actively give permission for programs to interact with their computers, there is less chance they will be hit by a virus or inadvertently allow malicious software that can monitor computer activities.
It's always risky to ask loyal customers to suddenly do things differently, but Gates said the changes aren't major and are worth it.
"Believe me, a click -- the time it takes to click versus if you have a security problem, it's a dramatic benefit," he said.
Many security experts agree, arguing that the security changes are badly needed. Analyst Joe Wilcox of Jupiter Research likens the situation to the changes people might make when entering a bad neighborhood, which is what the Internet has become with rampant security attacks.
"Maybe you don't go there at night (or) you lock the doors in the car. You change your behavior, and that's what these things are going to do," he said.
But analysts have raised concerns that if the system is too confusing or causes too many other applications to fail, then users will simply turn it off.
That's one reason Microsoft delayed the system to improve its compatibility with consumer applications.
Among other changes, the new system automatically turns on a Windows firewall to better guard against attempts to infiltrate personal computers. It also creates a "Windows Security Center" to help users monitor their various security sentinels -- including those from other companies, such as antivirus protections.
Service Pack 2 also fortifies protections on the Internet Explorer browser and offers tougher policing against e-mail-borne attacks.
Most users will have to download about 80 megabytes of data for the upgrade. Because it's so big, users are being urged to turn on an automatic update function that will let Microsoft slowly download Service Pack 2 onto your computer with minimal disruption to normal computer activities. The company plans to increase phone support and offer Web-based help with the download.
Microsoft senior product manager Matt Pilla said virtually all Windows XP users will be able to download Service Pack 2, regardless of whether they have a legal or pirated copy of the operating system. Research firm IDC estimates that about 260 million copies have been sold.
Other companies, such as Symantec Corp. and McAfee Inc., already offer similar security protections, such as firewalls, plus more in-depth antivirus protection and other features.
Gates conceded that he's heard complaints that parts of the free update, such as its firewall, duplicate features others sell separately. Those companies now "need to move up to another level of innovation," he said.
John Pescatore, vice president of Internet security with Gartner Inc., said Service Pack 2 won't affect business sales of other companies' security programs but could hurt sales to consumers, who would be more reluctant to shell out extra money for something already bundled into the operating system.
Matthew Moynahan, vice president of consumer products at Symantec, said his company's Norton products already offer deeper protection than Service Pack 2. Symantec will continue to add features to deal with more sophisticated threats, such as "phishing" scams designed to get people to give out personal information like credit card numbers.
Bill Kerrigan, senior vice president of McAfee's consumer division, said Service Pack 2 might be a boon to his company's business because it will raise awareness of the overall need for security safeguards.
Gates said he expects Service Pack 2 will lead to fewer of the incremental security fixes Microsoft now regularly releases. If the improved system works right, it's the things that users won't notice that will matter most.
"It's funny in a way because it's the dog that doesn't bark. It's the problems that don't happen," Gates said.
But Gates has no illusions about the challenges ahead.
"The investments we're making in security are ongoing," Gates said, "because the bad guys -- who are criminals -- are always sort of raising up their style of attack."
Now, more than two years after promising to do something about it, Microsoft is about to release the biggest update ever for Windows. The free upgrade is designed to make users safer from cyberattacks by sealing entries to viruses, better protecting personal data and fending off spyware.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said the upgrade, dubbed Service Pack 2, revises less than 5 percent of the millions of lines of code that make up Windows XP -- but adds more value than any update the company has ever done.
Some of the nearly $1 billion that's gone into Service Pack 2 also will be used on future versions of Windows. But Gates said it was absolutely necessary to give away the security advances now because of the barrage of attacks plaguing Windows-based computers.
"If we weren't viewing this as such a key priority, then we wouldn't be giving it away as a free thing," Gates said in an interview with The Associated Press.
The long-awaited update is due to be completed "in the coming days," Microsoft senior product manager Matt Pilla said.
The company could not be more specific. Service Pack 2 has been delayed as programmers have worked to make sure the new security safeguards would not keep people's favorite applications -- such as online games and music download services -- from working right. But such delays aren't unusual in the software industry, and especially with such a massive undertaking as this.
For regular users, the most noticeable change will be a series of new prompts users will see. The idea is that if users have to actively give permission for programs to interact with their computers, there is less chance they will be hit by a virus or inadvertently allow malicious software that can monitor computer activities.
It's always risky to ask loyal customers to suddenly do things differently, but Gates said the changes aren't major and are worth it.
"Believe me, a click -- the time it takes to click versus if you have a security problem, it's a dramatic benefit," he said.
Many security experts agree, arguing that the security changes are badly needed. Analyst Joe Wilcox of Jupiter Research likens the situation to the changes people might make when entering a bad neighborhood, which is what the Internet has become with rampant security attacks.
"Maybe you don't go there at night (or) you lock the doors in the car. You change your behavior, and that's what these things are going to do," he said.
But analysts have raised concerns that if the system is too confusing or causes too many other applications to fail, then users will simply turn it off.
That's one reason Microsoft delayed the system to improve its compatibility with consumer applications.
Among other changes, the new system automatically turns on a Windows firewall to better guard against attempts to infiltrate personal computers. It also creates a "Windows Security Center" to help users monitor their various security sentinels -- including those from other companies, such as antivirus protections.
Service Pack 2 also fortifies protections on the Internet Explorer browser and offers tougher policing against e-mail-borne attacks.
Most users will have to download about 80 megabytes of data for the upgrade. Because it's so big, users are being urged to turn on an automatic update function that will let Microsoft slowly download Service Pack 2 onto your computer with minimal disruption to normal computer activities. The company plans to increase phone support and offer Web-based help with the download.
Microsoft senior product manager Matt Pilla said virtually all Windows XP users will be able to download Service Pack 2, regardless of whether they have a legal or pirated copy of the operating system. Research firm IDC estimates that about 260 million copies have been sold.
Other companies, such as Symantec Corp. and McAfee Inc., already offer similar security protections, such as firewalls, plus more in-depth antivirus protection and other features.
Gates conceded that he's heard complaints that parts of the free update, such as its firewall, duplicate features others sell separately. Those companies now "need to move up to another level of innovation," he said.
John Pescatore, vice president of Internet security with Gartner Inc., said Service Pack 2 won't affect business sales of other companies' security programs but could hurt sales to consumers, who would be more reluctant to shell out extra money for something already bundled into the operating system.
Matthew Moynahan, vice president of consumer products at Symantec, said his company's Norton products already offer deeper protection than Service Pack 2. Symantec will continue to add features to deal with more sophisticated threats, such as "phishing" scams designed to get people to give out personal information like credit card numbers.
Bill Kerrigan, senior vice president of McAfee's consumer division, said Service Pack 2 might be a boon to his company's business because it will raise awareness of the overall need for security safeguards.
Gates said he expects Service Pack 2 will lead to fewer of the incremental security fixes Microsoft now regularly releases. If the improved system works right, it's the things that users won't notice that will matter most.
"It's funny in a way because it's the dog that doesn't bark. It's the problems that don't happen," Gates said.
But Gates has no illusions about the challenges ahead.
"The investments we're making in security are ongoing," Gates said, "because the bad guys -- who are criminals -- are always sort of raising up their style of attack."
Littledragon
Above The Law
NEW YORK (AP) -- Some of the new video games on the market make children move more than their thumbs -- they get the kids off the couch and get them to exercise.
With television and video games often blamed for contributing to the growing problem of obesity in children, video game makers and children's TV companies are creating shows and games that motivate children to move around or offer story lines that encourage exercise.
"All this physical marketing stuff is a powerful marketing tool," said Chris Byrne, a New York-based independent toy consultant.
"Parents are concerned about the level of physical activity that their kids are engaging in," he said. "And kids like it because it gives them a chance to be physical but most importantly be in control of their play experience."
This fall, the Nickelodeon children's cable television network will introduce a program called "LazyTown," a blend of live action and animation, where the village's children are torn between a health-conscious superhero named Sportacus and lazy Robbie Rotten, who spends his days lounging around.
Ragdoll Ltd., creator of "Teletubbies," is to release toys this fall tied to "Boohbah," a show aimed at toddlers that began on PBS in January and features actors in colorful rotund costumes who perform aerobics and urge kids to dance. The new toys also encourage children to move around.
Meanwhile, in video games, Sony Computer Entertainment America has done well with its new EyeToy series, which comes with a camera that sits on top of the TV, making the player the star of the screen. The series was made for PlayStation2. With EyeToy: Groove, which targets the 7-to-11 age group, players dance to one of 28 pop tunes -- and it comes with a calorie counter.
Unlike the other EyeToy versions, EyeToy: AntiGrav -- a skateboarding or snowboarding game expected this fall -- players don't see themselves on the screen. Rather, they use their body to control a character on screen; the camera uses a motion tracking technology that instantly translates body movement into on-screen interaction.
Toy Quest Entertainment, meanwhile, has launched Spider-Man 2 Web Action Video Gaming System, which has Spider-Man mirroring a child's movements on the TV screen using sensors strapped on the child's wrist and ankles.
"We are trying to get away from the simple joy stick and button control," said Bob Del Principe, vice president of research and development for Toy Quest. "You forget you are actually exercising."
In the Spider-Man 2 Web Action Video Gaming System, the player's movements are mirrored by the figure on the screen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 16 percent of boys and 14.5 percent of girls, ages 6 to 11, were obese between 1999 to 2000. That compares with 4.3 percent of boys and 3.6 percent of girls between 1971-74. A sedentary lifestyle is a big contributor to the problem.
Daniel Decker, who has girls ages 1 and 4, said he welcomes shows like "Boohbah" that get kids to move around.
"I don't want my kids to be vegging out, but if they are going to be exposed to TV, at least these shows cause them to use their motor skills," the Jacksonville, Florida, resident said.
Developing a video game that combines technology with exercise is trickier than creating a TV show that encourages children to break a sweat, according to Doug Lowenstein, president of Entertainment Software Association, an industry trade group.
"How many different types of games lend themselves to that experience?" asked Lowenstein. "The whole game has to be lots of fun. How do you translate the motion of movement that makes sense?"
Lowenstein and others say the video game Dance Dance Revolution -- which created a craze in the nation's arcades and is now popular among video game players at the home -- made the industry realize "gamers are willing to experience a game other than in a sitting position."
With DDR, players facing a video screen, stand on a three-foot square platform with an arrow on each side of the square -- pointing up, down, left and right. As an arrow moves to the top of the video screen to the beat of the song, players step on the corresponding arrow on the platform.
More than 1 million copies of DDR's home version have been sold in the United States since 2001, according to Peter Nguyen, a spokesman at Konami Digital Entertainment-America, which distributes the Japanese-made game in the United States.
Lowenstein also believes the popularity of wireless toys has created "greater potential in disconnecting people from the couch."
Radica Games has done well with a wireless video game series, Play TV, which offers seven games that simulate such activities as snowboarding, baseball and boxing. The series uses motion sensing devices to interact with TV images; swinging a wireless bat, for example, creates pitches on the video screen.
With television and video games often blamed for contributing to the growing problem of obesity in children, video game makers and children's TV companies are creating shows and games that motivate children to move around or offer story lines that encourage exercise.
"All this physical marketing stuff is a powerful marketing tool," said Chris Byrne, a New York-based independent toy consultant.
"Parents are concerned about the level of physical activity that their kids are engaging in," he said. "And kids like it because it gives them a chance to be physical but most importantly be in control of their play experience."
This fall, the Nickelodeon children's cable television network will introduce a program called "LazyTown," a blend of live action and animation, where the village's children are torn between a health-conscious superhero named Sportacus and lazy Robbie Rotten, who spends his days lounging around.
Ragdoll Ltd., creator of "Teletubbies," is to release toys this fall tied to "Boohbah," a show aimed at toddlers that began on PBS in January and features actors in colorful rotund costumes who perform aerobics and urge kids to dance. The new toys also encourage children to move around.
Meanwhile, in video games, Sony Computer Entertainment America has done well with its new EyeToy series, which comes with a camera that sits on top of the TV, making the player the star of the screen. The series was made for PlayStation2. With EyeToy: Groove, which targets the 7-to-11 age group, players dance to one of 28 pop tunes -- and it comes with a calorie counter.
Unlike the other EyeToy versions, EyeToy: AntiGrav -- a skateboarding or snowboarding game expected this fall -- players don't see themselves on the screen. Rather, they use their body to control a character on screen; the camera uses a motion tracking technology that instantly translates body movement into on-screen interaction.
Toy Quest Entertainment, meanwhile, has launched Spider-Man 2 Web Action Video Gaming System, which has Spider-Man mirroring a child's movements on the TV screen using sensors strapped on the child's wrist and ankles.
"We are trying to get away from the simple joy stick and button control," said Bob Del Principe, vice president of research and development for Toy Quest. "You forget you are actually exercising."
In the Spider-Man 2 Web Action Video Gaming System, the player's movements are mirrored by the figure on the screen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 16 percent of boys and 14.5 percent of girls, ages 6 to 11, were obese between 1999 to 2000. That compares with 4.3 percent of boys and 3.6 percent of girls between 1971-74. A sedentary lifestyle is a big contributor to the problem.
Daniel Decker, who has girls ages 1 and 4, said he welcomes shows like "Boohbah" that get kids to move around.
"I don't want my kids to be vegging out, but if they are going to be exposed to TV, at least these shows cause them to use their motor skills," the Jacksonville, Florida, resident said.
Developing a video game that combines technology with exercise is trickier than creating a TV show that encourages children to break a sweat, according to Doug Lowenstein, president of Entertainment Software Association, an industry trade group.
"How many different types of games lend themselves to that experience?" asked Lowenstein. "The whole game has to be lots of fun. How do you translate the motion of movement that makes sense?"
Lowenstein and others say the video game Dance Dance Revolution -- which created a craze in the nation's arcades and is now popular among video game players at the home -- made the industry realize "gamers are willing to experience a game other than in a sitting position."
With DDR, players facing a video screen, stand on a three-foot square platform with an arrow on each side of the square -- pointing up, down, left and right. As an arrow moves to the top of the video screen to the beat of the song, players step on the corresponding arrow on the platform.
More than 1 million copies of DDR's home version have been sold in the United States since 2001, according to Peter Nguyen, a spokesman at Konami Digital Entertainment-America, which distributes the Japanese-made game in the United States.
Lowenstein also believes the popularity of wireless toys has created "greater potential in disconnecting people from the couch."
Radica Games has done well with a wireless video game series, Play TV, which offers seven games that simulate such activities as snowboarding, baseball and boxing. The series uses motion sensing devices to interact with TV images; swinging a wireless bat, for example, creates pitches on the video screen.
Littledragon
Above The Law
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Free-for-all music sharing online has drawn the ire of the recording industry, but some commercial online music providers and even a few recording artists are opting to allow music fans to share the songs they've bought.
The latest to do so is San Diego-based MusicMatch. The company this week launched a revamped version of its digital music service with a new feature that enables subscribers to send e-mails embedded with Internet links for songs they want to share.
Like Napster 2.0 and other licensed digital music purveyors who have rolled out similar options, the MusicMatch sharing feature comes with restrictions nowhere to be found in the peer-to-peer file-sharing bazaars accessed through software like Kazaa and eDonkey.
The recording industry has traditionally been skittish about allowing its content to be disseminated by anyone but licensed distributors, but they have clearly warmed up to the concept when assured the music would be shared securely, said Bob Ohlweiler, MusicMatch's senior vice president of business development.
"Record companies like the fact that people can tell their friends and acquaintances about music," Ohlweiler said. "What the labels don't like about peer-to-peer is that it's free."
MusicMatch's overhaul brings it in line with other services that offer streaming permanent song and album downloads and subscription access to streaming music.
Like Napster 2.0, MusicMatch subscribers can share playlists with fellow subscribers and others who don't subscribe to the service. Unlike Napster, which only allows nonsubscribers to listen to 30-second song snippets, MusicMatch allows songs to be played three times before the songs lock. Then only 30-second cuts can be heard.
The limited sharing feature may help MusicMatch vie for market share with rivals for the digital music dollar, particularly Napster 2.0, Rhapsody and Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store, which doesn't offer a sharing feature.
"It will be an incremental feature that could lead them to be more competitive," said Phil Leigh, an analyst with Inside Digital Media. "You'll probably see other people follow MusicMatch's lead, particularly if it proves successful, and my guess is that it will be."
P2P networks
Whether such sharing features in licensed services will motivate P2P file-sharers to switch, is anybody's guess.
Despite growing numbers of users for the licensed music services, millions continue to download music, movies and software over P2P networks. Experts differ on whether the more than 3,000 copyright lawsuits brought by record companies against individual computer users have had an impact.
Ohlweiler said the idea behind allowing users to share music was not about mimicking the unfettered exchange of files that occurs on P2P networks. Other digital music companies, however, have embraced P2P, directly distributing files over the networks.
One example is Altnet, a partner of the company behind Kazaa. It has been promoting the sharing of licensed content over P2P. The files often come with some restrictions, such as the number of times songs can be played.
Another service is Mercora, which uses P2P networks to allow users to listen to each others' music, as Web radio stations do. No files are actually exchanged, so Mercora has avoided the sort of legal scrutiny that the recording industry has brought to bear against others.
Recording artists have also turned to file-sharing to distribute and promote their work. Earlier this month, 1980s glam-metal rockers Heart released its new record, "Jupiters Darling," in a computer file format that enables computer users to share the song file online.
Anyone who opens the file gets to hear the songs three times and then the files lock up until the computer user pays to unlock it.
In June, Steve Winwood openly made the song, "Dear Mr. Fantasy," available for sharing. Since it was released, more than 40,000 computer users on P2P networks have shared the song, according to BigChampagne LLC, a Beverly Hills-based research firm that tracks P2P traffic.
No numbers were immediately available for the Heart album.
The latest to do so is San Diego-based MusicMatch. The company this week launched a revamped version of its digital music service with a new feature that enables subscribers to send e-mails embedded with Internet links for songs they want to share.
Like Napster 2.0 and other licensed digital music purveyors who have rolled out similar options, the MusicMatch sharing feature comes with restrictions nowhere to be found in the peer-to-peer file-sharing bazaars accessed through software like Kazaa and eDonkey.
The recording industry has traditionally been skittish about allowing its content to be disseminated by anyone but licensed distributors, but they have clearly warmed up to the concept when assured the music would be shared securely, said Bob Ohlweiler, MusicMatch's senior vice president of business development.
"Record companies like the fact that people can tell their friends and acquaintances about music," Ohlweiler said. "What the labels don't like about peer-to-peer is that it's free."
MusicMatch's overhaul brings it in line with other services that offer streaming permanent song and album downloads and subscription access to streaming music.
Like Napster 2.0, MusicMatch subscribers can share playlists with fellow subscribers and others who don't subscribe to the service. Unlike Napster, which only allows nonsubscribers to listen to 30-second song snippets, MusicMatch allows songs to be played three times before the songs lock. Then only 30-second cuts can be heard.
The limited sharing feature may help MusicMatch vie for market share with rivals for the digital music dollar, particularly Napster 2.0, Rhapsody and Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store, which doesn't offer a sharing feature.
"It will be an incremental feature that could lead them to be more competitive," said Phil Leigh, an analyst with Inside Digital Media. "You'll probably see other people follow MusicMatch's lead, particularly if it proves successful, and my guess is that it will be."
P2P networks
Whether such sharing features in licensed services will motivate P2P file-sharers to switch, is anybody's guess.
Despite growing numbers of users for the licensed music services, millions continue to download music, movies and software over P2P networks. Experts differ on whether the more than 3,000 copyright lawsuits brought by record companies against individual computer users have had an impact.
Ohlweiler said the idea behind allowing users to share music was not about mimicking the unfettered exchange of files that occurs on P2P networks. Other digital music companies, however, have embraced P2P, directly distributing files over the networks.
One example is Altnet, a partner of the company behind Kazaa. It has been promoting the sharing of licensed content over P2P. The files often come with some restrictions, such as the number of times songs can be played.
Another service is Mercora, which uses P2P networks to allow users to listen to each others' music, as Web radio stations do. No files are actually exchanged, so Mercora has avoided the sort of legal scrutiny that the recording industry has brought to bear against others.
Recording artists have also turned to file-sharing to distribute and promote their work. Earlier this month, 1980s glam-metal rockers Heart released its new record, "Jupiters Darling," in a computer file format that enables computer users to share the song file online.
Anyone who opens the file gets to hear the songs three times and then the files lock up until the computer user pays to unlock it.
In June, Steve Winwood openly made the song, "Dear Mr. Fantasy," available for sharing. Since it was released, more than 40,000 computer users on P2P networks have shared the song, according to BigChampagne LLC, a Beverly Hills-based research firm that tracks P2P traffic.
No numbers were immediately available for the Heart album.
Littledragon
Above The Law
NEW YORK (AP) -- Amanda Cunningham started her daughter on computers at 2 1/2 with "Reader Rabbit" software and Web sites like Sesame Street. Like any parent, she was proud Madeline could master the mouse so young.
But Cunningham soon realized Madeline, now 4, wasn't really learning anything. She just kept clicking, dragging and playing the same games over and over. Now, she's in no rush to get her 1-year-old son, Liam, on computers or the Internet.
"I just don't see an advantage (to) starting early," said Cunningham, a former teacher who now creates reading software for elementary schools.
There's no shortage of sites and software aimed at very young kids and even toddlers. Noggin.com has games and virtual coloring books for preschoolers. A Crayola licensee makes handheld video games, including one where kids race in a crayon-shaped car, for 3 and up. KidzMouse Inc. makes computer mice for small hands.
But there's growing debate over whether children should be exposed to technology so early. Some parents and scholars see no benefit, and a handful even warn of a hindrance to child development.
"Mental ability is gained from manipulating the three-dimensional world at that age and (from) managing your own mind and not having it managed by an electronic machine," said Jane M. Healy, author of "Failure to Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children's Mind."
Healy said computers take children away from other developmental activities more appropriate for their brains and can "easily become a habit for both parent and child."
According to a 2003 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 31 percent of children age 3 and under are already using computers. Sixteen percent use them several times a week, 21 percent can point and click with a mouse by themselves and 11 percent can turn on the computer without assistance.
Healy recommends kids stay off computers until age 7. Others suggest 3 is OK to start. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time before 2, worried youngsters may get discouraged if they talk to a computer monitor and get no response.
David Elkind, professor of child development at Tufts University, is concerned that kids are overdeveloping visual senses at the expense of touch or sound. "Children miss out on all these basic learning experiences if they are so attuned to the virtual world," he said.
Lapware
Yet some researchers as well as developers of the Web sites and software aimed at young kids see nothing wrong with exposing children to technology early -- as long as it's done in moderation.
"Kids need a good balance in their lives and a mix of experiences," said Peter Grunwald, whose consulting firm specializes in kids and technology.
In other words, don't force technology on children and don't turn it into a babysitter while cooking dinner. Through common sense use, Grunwald said, computers can help kids develop hand-eye coordination and other skills.
Yong Zhao, a professor of educational psychology at Michigan State University, bought his daughter an iMac before she turned 1 and had her simply bang on the keyboard. Eventually, he said, his daughter picked up on how the banging led to changes on-screen.
Young kids should be supervised while surfing the Web anyhow, so early Internet use offers a chance for "spending time with your kids and seeing what they react to," said Regina Lewis, consumer adviser for America Online Inc., which has "KOL Jr." section for ages 2 to 5.
Developers of the kids site Googles.com -- not to be confused with the search engine -- say their games and songs promote self-esteem. Scholastic Inc. says its Clifford products teach reading and music -- not to mention computing.
Others say they can't possibly quell their kids' curiosity for a machine their parents -- and older siblings -- are using so much.
"The same way that every little kid who's starting to walk goes into the kitchen and takes pans out of the cabinet, they see their parents doing things and they want to do them, too," said Jim Robinson, an advertising executive who created Kneebouncers.com initially for his then-9-month-old daughter.
The site -- one of a number of so-called lapware for toddlers to toy with on parents' laps -- has Flash-animated games with lots of noise and bright colors. Robinson said he gets e-mail of thanks from parents of kids as young as 5 months old.
Beyond the home, computers are increasingly creeping into daycare and preschool environments, in turn pressuring parents to get computers as soon as their child is born, said Peggy Meszaros, director of Virginia Tech's Center for Information Technology Impacts on Children, Youth and Families.
"Parents today are so obsessed with giving children every academic advantage, they've been persuaded that if they wait a minute to introduce children to computers and technology, that somehow their children will be behind," she said.
But if those same parents talked to teachers, they'd learn that kids pick up keyboarding and mouse skills easily even if they wait, said Patricia Cantor, chairwoman of Plymouth State University's education department.
More research is needed, proponents and skeptics agree.
"What's happening is the market is proceeding at a faster pace than the research," said Kathryn Montgomery, a communications professor at American University. "It's taken awhile for the academics to reach a point where they are addressing these questions. The marketers, they were clearly on the case 10 years ago."
But Cunningham soon realized Madeline, now 4, wasn't really learning anything. She just kept clicking, dragging and playing the same games over and over. Now, she's in no rush to get her 1-year-old son, Liam, on computers or the Internet.
"I just don't see an advantage (to) starting early," said Cunningham, a former teacher who now creates reading software for elementary schools.
There's no shortage of sites and software aimed at very young kids and even toddlers. Noggin.com has games and virtual coloring books for preschoolers. A Crayola licensee makes handheld video games, including one where kids race in a crayon-shaped car, for 3 and up. KidzMouse Inc. makes computer mice for small hands.
But there's growing debate over whether children should be exposed to technology so early. Some parents and scholars see no benefit, and a handful even warn of a hindrance to child development.
"Mental ability is gained from manipulating the three-dimensional world at that age and (from) managing your own mind and not having it managed by an electronic machine," said Jane M. Healy, author of "Failure to Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children's Mind."
Healy said computers take children away from other developmental activities more appropriate for their brains and can "easily become a habit for both parent and child."
According to a 2003 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 31 percent of children age 3 and under are already using computers. Sixteen percent use them several times a week, 21 percent can point and click with a mouse by themselves and 11 percent can turn on the computer without assistance.
Healy recommends kids stay off computers until age 7. Others suggest 3 is OK to start. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time before 2, worried youngsters may get discouraged if they talk to a computer monitor and get no response.
David Elkind, professor of child development at Tufts University, is concerned that kids are overdeveloping visual senses at the expense of touch or sound. "Children miss out on all these basic learning experiences if they are so attuned to the virtual world," he said.
Lapware
Yet some researchers as well as developers of the Web sites and software aimed at young kids see nothing wrong with exposing children to technology early -- as long as it's done in moderation.
"Kids need a good balance in their lives and a mix of experiences," said Peter Grunwald, whose consulting firm specializes in kids and technology.
In other words, don't force technology on children and don't turn it into a babysitter while cooking dinner. Through common sense use, Grunwald said, computers can help kids develop hand-eye coordination and other skills.
Yong Zhao, a professor of educational psychology at Michigan State University, bought his daughter an iMac before she turned 1 and had her simply bang on the keyboard. Eventually, he said, his daughter picked up on how the banging led to changes on-screen.
Young kids should be supervised while surfing the Web anyhow, so early Internet use offers a chance for "spending time with your kids and seeing what they react to," said Regina Lewis, consumer adviser for America Online Inc., which has "KOL Jr." section for ages 2 to 5.
Developers of the kids site Googles.com -- not to be confused with the search engine -- say their games and songs promote self-esteem. Scholastic Inc. says its Clifford products teach reading and music -- not to mention computing.
Others say they can't possibly quell their kids' curiosity for a machine their parents -- and older siblings -- are using so much.
"The same way that every little kid who's starting to walk goes into the kitchen and takes pans out of the cabinet, they see their parents doing things and they want to do them, too," said Jim Robinson, an advertising executive who created Kneebouncers.com initially for his then-9-month-old daughter.
The site -- one of a number of so-called lapware for toddlers to toy with on parents' laps -- has Flash-animated games with lots of noise and bright colors. Robinson said he gets e-mail of thanks from parents of kids as young as 5 months old.
Beyond the home, computers are increasingly creeping into daycare and preschool environments, in turn pressuring parents to get computers as soon as their child is born, said Peggy Meszaros, director of Virginia Tech's Center for Information Technology Impacts on Children, Youth and Families.
"Parents today are so obsessed with giving children every academic advantage, they've been persuaded that if they wait a minute to introduce children to computers and technology, that somehow their children will be behind," she said.
But if those same parents talked to teachers, they'd learn that kids pick up keyboarding and mouse skills easily even if they wait, said Patricia Cantor, chairwoman of Plymouth State University's education department.
More research is needed, proponents and skeptics agree.
"What's happening is the market is proceeding at a faster pace than the research," said Kathryn Montgomery, a communications professor at American University. "It's taken awhile for the academics to reach a point where they are addressing these questions. The marketers, they were clearly on the case 10 years ago."
Littledragon
Above The Law
SOMERS, New York (AP) -- The idea is straightforward: Instead of giving employees computers packed with features they rarely use, companies could save tons of cash by distributing simple machines tied to powerful central servers.
Computing vendors have had marginal success over the years with variations of this "thin client" concept. Now IBM Corp. is betting that with some tweaks, the technology can become a big hit, challenging the traditional approach pushed by Microsoft Corp.
IBM and Sun Microsystems Inc., which also offers a server-based computing system, the Java Desktop, insist their efforts aren't a direct stab at Microsoft's huge -- and hugely profitable -- presence on corporate desktop computers.
Even so, the rivals say they hope to win over corporate technology managers who are tired of the cost and security headaches inherent in having hundreds of PCs running Microsoft's Windows operating system.
In a server-centric computing system, software updates can be pumped to every machine at once, and individual computers can be shielded from viruses and attacks.
"That's one of the biggest things (information technology) faces today: keeping all of the software on the PC up to date," said Bruce Elgort, manager of information services for Sharp Corp.'s U.S. microelectronics division. "It's a nightmare."
He said he's "50-50" on whether to have his organization adopt IBM's new server-based desktop system, known as Workplace 2. Even so, he said, "I'm pretty keen on what they're trying to do."
IBM's original Workplace software, launched last year, offered messaging and collaboration features. Workplace 2 is a new beast because it is managed by remote servers. Now in pilot testing by 120 IBM customers, Workplace 2 is to be officially released by the end of July.
IBM expects it to especially appeal to companies with lots of mobile workers, or employees who use computers only for specific tasks -- people like bank tellers, call center operators and factory-floor managers.
Open-source alternatives
The program gives users a dashboard-like view of several applications, notably e-mail, instant messaging and a calendar, along with documents created by the users or their colleagues. In an important step, IBM released software tools this month to let outside developers create programs that work with Workplace 2.
Workplace 2 runs on Windows or Linux computers, and its dashboard can incorporate the big three applications in Microsoft's Office software package -- Word, PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets.
But if a user doesn't want to buy Microsoft Office software, Workplace draws on open-source alternatives that roughly simulate the big three. That means a Workplace user who doesn't have Word but gets e-mailed a Word document could open the file, change it and send it back to the source -- who would then be able to work on it in Word just the same.
Workplace is accessed over a Web browser, so users can be anywhere, even on a handheld computer or an Internet-connected cell phone. A Macintosh version is due this fall.
Also, unlike earlier incarnations of thin-client computing, users don't have to maintain a constant connection to the network. E-mails and other work can be performed off-line and synched up with central servers later.
One potential flaw, however, is that Workplace for now lacks a unified search program that lets users hunt for data across multiple applications. Meanwhile, Microsoft and third-party developers are making that kind of function a high priority.
IBM won't make claims about how much money Workplace users can save by dumping Microsoft Office, which has a staggering 400 million users worldwide.
But it's safe to say Workplace is a big bet.
IBM's $14 billion software division, the world's No. 2 software supplier, not only has to win over Microsoft customers but keep its own excited -- such as users of its Lotus Notes and Domino e-mail programs, both of which can be accessed in Workplace. Notes alone has 110 million users.
Also, if Workplace is a success, it could help IBM sell servers, back-end technology services and PCs that run Linux, now a relatively tiny market.
Gauging success
Sun is in more desperate straits, having seen business plummet since the dot-com bust. Sun contends big companies can save at least 25 percent on long-term operating costs by abandoning Windows for Sun's server-managed Java Desktop System, which runs on Linux.
That message inspired Ireland's largest bank, Allied Irish, to switch 7,500 of its PCs to the Java Desktop, though Sun won't say how many other customers it has picked up since the software's launch in December. Peder Ulander, Sun's marketing director for desktop solutions, said it has done "better than I think we had originally anticipated."
For its part, Microsoft claims not to be threatened by IBM, Sun or any of the dozens of alternatives to Office.
Dan Leach, product manager for Microsoft's information worker software -- which brought in $10.8 billion of Microsoft's $36.8 billion in revenue over the past year -- said Windows users have little reason to leave programs they've relied on for a long time. For example, he said, while Workplace promises a centralized presentation of collaborative documents, so does Microsoft's existing SharePoint server software.
"What IBM is suggesting is that customers should use Workplace, but to do what? To do many of the things our customers are already doing," Leach said. "Our customers are not interested in giving up the power of their PCs."
Amy Wohl, who runs the Wohl Associates tech consulting firm, said it will take a few years to gauge the success of programs like Workplace.
Switching isn't easy for many companies, especially those with internal programs written to work with Office.
"If you're looking for Office to disappear, that's not likely," Wohl said. "If you're looking for IBM to have a fairly substantial number of customers, large customers, I think that's reasonable. ... It's going to be really interesting to see."
Computing vendors have had marginal success over the years with variations of this "thin client" concept. Now IBM Corp. is betting that with some tweaks, the technology can become a big hit, challenging the traditional approach pushed by Microsoft Corp.
IBM and Sun Microsystems Inc., which also offers a server-based computing system, the Java Desktop, insist their efforts aren't a direct stab at Microsoft's huge -- and hugely profitable -- presence on corporate desktop computers.
Even so, the rivals say they hope to win over corporate technology managers who are tired of the cost and security headaches inherent in having hundreds of PCs running Microsoft's Windows operating system.
In a server-centric computing system, software updates can be pumped to every machine at once, and individual computers can be shielded from viruses and attacks.
"That's one of the biggest things (information technology) faces today: keeping all of the software on the PC up to date," said Bruce Elgort, manager of information services for Sharp Corp.'s U.S. microelectronics division. "It's a nightmare."
He said he's "50-50" on whether to have his organization adopt IBM's new server-based desktop system, known as Workplace 2. Even so, he said, "I'm pretty keen on what they're trying to do."
IBM's original Workplace software, launched last year, offered messaging and collaboration features. Workplace 2 is a new beast because it is managed by remote servers. Now in pilot testing by 120 IBM customers, Workplace 2 is to be officially released by the end of July.
IBM expects it to especially appeal to companies with lots of mobile workers, or employees who use computers only for specific tasks -- people like bank tellers, call center operators and factory-floor managers.
Open-source alternatives
The program gives users a dashboard-like view of several applications, notably e-mail, instant messaging and a calendar, along with documents created by the users or their colleagues. In an important step, IBM released software tools this month to let outside developers create programs that work with Workplace 2.
Workplace 2 runs on Windows or Linux computers, and its dashboard can incorporate the big three applications in Microsoft's Office software package -- Word, PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets.
But if a user doesn't want to buy Microsoft Office software, Workplace draws on open-source alternatives that roughly simulate the big three. That means a Workplace user who doesn't have Word but gets e-mailed a Word document could open the file, change it and send it back to the source -- who would then be able to work on it in Word just the same.
Workplace is accessed over a Web browser, so users can be anywhere, even on a handheld computer or an Internet-connected cell phone. A Macintosh version is due this fall.
Also, unlike earlier incarnations of thin-client computing, users don't have to maintain a constant connection to the network. E-mails and other work can be performed off-line and synched up with central servers later.
One potential flaw, however, is that Workplace for now lacks a unified search program that lets users hunt for data across multiple applications. Meanwhile, Microsoft and third-party developers are making that kind of function a high priority.
IBM won't make claims about how much money Workplace users can save by dumping Microsoft Office, which has a staggering 400 million users worldwide.
But it's safe to say Workplace is a big bet.
IBM's $14 billion software division, the world's No. 2 software supplier, not only has to win over Microsoft customers but keep its own excited -- such as users of its Lotus Notes and Domino e-mail programs, both of which can be accessed in Workplace. Notes alone has 110 million users.
Also, if Workplace is a success, it could help IBM sell servers, back-end technology services and PCs that run Linux, now a relatively tiny market.
Gauging success
Sun is in more desperate straits, having seen business plummet since the dot-com bust. Sun contends big companies can save at least 25 percent on long-term operating costs by abandoning Windows for Sun's server-managed Java Desktop System, which runs on Linux.
That message inspired Ireland's largest bank, Allied Irish, to switch 7,500 of its PCs to the Java Desktop, though Sun won't say how many other customers it has picked up since the software's launch in December. Peder Ulander, Sun's marketing director for desktop solutions, said it has done "better than I think we had originally anticipated."
For its part, Microsoft claims not to be threatened by IBM, Sun or any of the dozens of alternatives to Office.
Dan Leach, product manager for Microsoft's information worker software -- which brought in $10.8 billion of Microsoft's $36.8 billion in revenue over the past year -- said Windows users have little reason to leave programs they've relied on for a long time. For example, he said, while Workplace promises a centralized presentation of collaborative documents, so does Microsoft's existing SharePoint server software.
"What IBM is suggesting is that customers should use Workplace, but to do what? To do many of the things our customers are already doing," Leach said. "Our customers are not interested in giving up the power of their PCs."
Amy Wohl, who runs the Wohl Associates tech consulting firm, said it will take a few years to gauge the success of programs like Workplace.
Switching isn't easy for many companies, especially those with internal programs written to work with Office.
"If you're looking for Office to disappear, that's not likely," Wohl said. "If you're looking for IBM to have a fairly substantial number of customers, large customers, I think that's reasonable. ... It's going to be really interesting to see."
Littledragon
Above The Law
"Tales of Symphonia" is a wonderfully crafted fantasy role-playing game for Nintendo GameCube.
Now available in North America, this Japanese title begins in the land of Sylvarant, where mana -- the spiritual energy source that sustains people, animals and plants -- has been depleted, allowing menacing creatures to seep through dimensional rifts. A "Chosen" is born every generation to replenish the mana supply and restore peace to the land. This is where the game's main characters come in.
You play as the teenage Lloyd Irving, who accompanies the Chosen, a young girl named Colette Brunel, on her quest. You are joined by other game characters who specialize in melee combat or magic spell-casting to form a well-rounded adventuring party, as it's known in RPG speak.
Action, unusual plot twists
While the story is simplistic, the interaction between the game's characters, unpredictable plot twists and varied environments more than make up for it.
This game is all about the action.
"Symphonia" involves plenty of combat against a wide array of monsters. Unlike the familiar turn-based fighting found in titles such as "Final Fantasy," melees take place in real time, so all party members can strike enemies at once, and vice versa. Players control Lloyd, while the game's artificial intelligence handles the other party members.
Have friends over? As many as three other GameCube players can plug in a controller and take control of any party member normally controlled by the computer.
The game excels thanks to its variety of combat options, such as an impressive selection of weapons and spells, combo moves and the ability to program chain attacks and assign them to a button on the controller. Defensive maneuvers include standard blocks, counterattacks and healing spells, while special potions and other items can help revive a downed character.
Graphics complement story line
Combat in "Tales of Symphonia" takes place in real-time, so game characters and their opponents all can strike at once.
Fighting techniques vary depending on the type and number of enemies involved in the scuffle. As with most other RPGs, characters can "level up" over time, which makes them stronger and allows them to gain new abilities.
"Symphonia" also involves some puzzle-solving, such as moving crates to form a bridge or figuring out how to shrink the party magically to squeeze through small spaces. The game includes mini-games peppered throughout the estimated 80 hours it can take to complete the adventure and side quests.
The game's cel-shaded graphics look like they're straight from an anime cartoon. While some people may find the graphics too kidlike, they work well with the fantasy story line. Renowned Japanese artist Kosuke Fujishima is responsible for the attractive movie clips that play from time to time.
"Symphonia" allows you to save the game at specific points. Unfortunately, there aren't enough save points so you might have to replay hours' worth of the game if the adventuring party dies far from a save point.
Despite this beef, "Symphonia" succeeds because of its deep battle system, stylish graphics and enormous game world.
Now available in North America, this Japanese title begins in the land of Sylvarant, where mana -- the spiritual energy source that sustains people, animals and plants -- has been depleted, allowing menacing creatures to seep through dimensional rifts. A "Chosen" is born every generation to replenish the mana supply and restore peace to the land. This is where the game's main characters come in.
You play as the teenage Lloyd Irving, who accompanies the Chosen, a young girl named Colette Brunel, on her quest. You are joined by other game characters who specialize in melee combat or magic spell-casting to form a well-rounded adventuring party, as it's known in RPG speak.
Action, unusual plot twists
While the story is simplistic, the interaction between the game's characters, unpredictable plot twists and varied environments more than make up for it.
This game is all about the action.
"Symphonia" involves plenty of combat against a wide array of monsters. Unlike the familiar turn-based fighting found in titles such as "Final Fantasy," melees take place in real time, so all party members can strike enemies at once, and vice versa. Players control Lloyd, while the game's artificial intelligence handles the other party members.
Have friends over? As many as three other GameCube players can plug in a controller and take control of any party member normally controlled by the computer.
The game excels thanks to its variety of combat options, such as an impressive selection of weapons and spells, combo moves and the ability to program chain attacks and assign them to a button on the controller. Defensive maneuvers include standard blocks, counterattacks and healing spells, while special potions and other items can help revive a downed character.
Graphics complement story line
Combat in "Tales of Symphonia" takes place in real-time, so game characters and their opponents all can strike at once.
Fighting techniques vary depending on the type and number of enemies involved in the scuffle. As with most other RPGs, characters can "level up" over time, which makes them stronger and allows them to gain new abilities.
"Symphonia" also involves some puzzle-solving, such as moving crates to form a bridge or figuring out how to shrink the party magically to squeeze through small spaces. The game includes mini-games peppered throughout the estimated 80 hours it can take to complete the adventure and side quests.
The game's cel-shaded graphics look like they're straight from an anime cartoon. While some people may find the graphics too kidlike, they work well with the fantasy story line. Renowned Japanese artist Kosuke Fujishima is responsible for the attractive movie clips that play from time to time.
"Symphonia" allows you to save the game at specific points. Unfortunately, there aren't enough save points so you might have to replay hours' worth of the game if the adventuring party dies far from a save point.
Despite this beef, "Symphonia" succeeds because of its deep battle system, stylish graphics and enormous game world.
Littledragon
Above The Law
It's the bottom of the ninth and the bases are loaded. The Yankees and Red Sox are tied 4-4 when New York's Alex Rodriguez steps up to the plate -- literally engulfed in flames as a result of his "hot" performance -- and sends a ball out of the stadium and into the scoreboard, smashing it to pieces. The crowd goes wild.
That's the over-the-top game play in Midway's "MLB SlugFest: Loaded," a new baseball game that emphasizes arcade-style action over traditional sports simulation.
Now available for the Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation 2, the title includes outrageous features such as turbo-speed running, trick pitches, players who burst into flames, humorous off-topic dialogue between commentators and unlockable characters, including some from Midway's "Mortal Kombat" games.
Players can "hard tag" runners -- punch them in the stomach as they approach the base. Hmm, perhaps this is why "MLB SlugFest: Loaded" is the first baseball game slapped with a "teen" rating.
Intuitive play
"MLB SlugFest: Loaded" is a breeze to pick up and play, so there's little need to open the manual. When batting, an on-screen legend tells you what buttons to press for a hit, power hit or bunt. Similar color-coded options make it easy to pitch a fastball, curve ball, changeup, sinker or trick pitch.
In the field, you simply push the left analog stick to have your players run toward the ball. Once the ball is snagged, a push on the right analog stick has your outfielder throw the ball to the desired base. The players in the game respond quickly and accurately.
Although "SlugFest" is more of an arcade title, Midway has added a deep franchise mode to this year's version. Gamers must select a Major League Baseball team and play through multiple seasons while managing everything from drafting, trading and releasing players to selecting the batting order, pitching rotation and on-field positions.
Head-to-head matches over the Internet are available for both consoles, but the Xbox Live service (sold separately) offers a beefier experience thanks to its customizable online tournaments (consisting of four, eight or 16 teams) and voice chat support, which is perfect for trash-talking opponents.
Graphically, the game is impressive. Animations are fluid and the player models more or less look like their real-life counterparts. The 2-D crowds aren't as appealing, however, because they resemble paper cutouts. But if you're staring at the stadium instead of the ball, you're not in the game.
"MLB SlugFest: Loaded" is not for everyone, but its approach adds some refreshing zest to a sport that is a little too leisurely for some sports fans.
That's the over-the-top game play in Midway's "MLB SlugFest: Loaded," a new baseball game that emphasizes arcade-style action over traditional sports simulation.
Now available for the Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation 2, the title includes outrageous features such as turbo-speed running, trick pitches, players who burst into flames, humorous off-topic dialogue between commentators and unlockable characters, including some from Midway's "Mortal Kombat" games.
Players can "hard tag" runners -- punch them in the stomach as they approach the base. Hmm, perhaps this is why "MLB SlugFest: Loaded" is the first baseball game slapped with a "teen" rating.
Intuitive play
"MLB SlugFest: Loaded" is a breeze to pick up and play, so there's little need to open the manual. When batting, an on-screen legend tells you what buttons to press for a hit, power hit or bunt. Similar color-coded options make it easy to pitch a fastball, curve ball, changeup, sinker or trick pitch.
In the field, you simply push the left analog stick to have your players run toward the ball. Once the ball is snagged, a push on the right analog stick has your outfielder throw the ball to the desired base. The players in the game respond quickly and accurately.
Although "SlugFest" is more of an arcade title, Midway has added a deep franchise mode to this year's version. Gamers must select a Major League Baseball team and play through multiple seasons while managing everything from drafting, trading and releasing players to selecting the batting order, pitching rotation and on-field positions.
Head-to-head matches over the Internet are available for both consoles, but the Xbox Live service (sold separately) offers a beefier experience thanks to its customizable online tournaments (consisting of four, eight or 16 teams) and voice chat support, which is perfect for trash-talking opponents.
Graphically, the game is impressive. Animations are fluid and the player models more or less look like their real-life counterparts. The 2-D crowds aren't as appealing, however, because they resemble paper cutouts. But if you're staring at the stadium instead of the ball, you're not in the game.
"MLB SlugFest: Loaded" is not for everyone, but its approach adds some refreshing zest to a sport that is a little too leisurely for some sports fans.
yudansha
TheGreatOne
Technology being developed to warn of earthquakes, limit damage, say experts
VANCOUVER (CP) - Avtar Pall is a softspoken Montreal engineer whose invention has probably saved millions of dollars and maybe even a few lives.
Pall's small company designs and builds earthquake shock absorbers for large buildings, part of an industry that's burgeoned in recent years as research into quakes translates into useable technology.
Products range from still rudimentary electronic quake warning systems to personal survival gear but the largest sector probably encompasses earthquake mitigation - trying to minimize the initial damage a tremour causes.
Research was the focus at the 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, which wrapped up here last week.
The quadrennial meeting of 2,500 scientists was held for the first time in Canada, which has active earthquake zones on the West Coast and south-central Canada.
The conference, which featured intricately scientific discussions, offered glimpses of how the intensive study of past quakes can be practically applied.
"Even earthquakes that occurred 20 or 30 years ago are still being studied and new information is being provided and more knowledge is being shared," said conference organizer Carlos Ventura.
"There are technologies now that were in the research stage 10, 15 years ago that now are being commercialized."
Ventura, a University of British Columbia engineering professor working in its earthquake engineering research lab, said the research finds its way into building codes, which are typically updated every five years.
"But by far the biggest advances are in key earthquakes," agreed Robert Muir-Wood, chief research officer for Risk Management Solutions, which supplies the insurance and re-insurance industries with highly precise catastrophe risk assessments.
Big advances have been made in the last 30 years based on data from major events such as the 1971 San Bernadino and 1994 Northridge quakes in California, he said.
The 1995 quake that devastated Kobe, Japan, also demonstrated how well buildings erected under 1980s code revisions could stand up to the shocks, Muir-Wood said from London.
"Typically it takes four or five years after the big earthquake before all the lessons have been learned and it's possible to put all the changes into the next version of the building code," said Muir-Wood.
Recent research into how a quake's awesome forces act on structures has helped mature the technology of energy dissipation, said Ventura.
"If a building cannot dissipate energy, that's where failure starts," he said. "What you want to do is control the elements that fail and as they fail the energy is being dissipated."
That's at the heart of Pall's seismic control friction dampers.
Pall's invention, inspired by his childhood observations of how automobiles braked to a stop in his native India, has been installed in dozens of new and retro-fitted buildings.
The system, first used in 1987 on the library building at Montreal's Concordia University, combines braces with shock absorbers that convert quake energy into heat through the friction caused by their movement.
Pall, who emigrated to Canada in the 1970s largely so he could pursue his research, said the dampers absorb up to 80 per cent of the quake's energy and starkly reduce its drift or range of motion.
Muir-Wood noted that building codes don't demand older buildings be upgraded but Pall gives a stark example of what happens when they're not.
His company, which employs about 40 people at its Montreal plant, was contracted in 1998 to retrofit aerospace giant Boeing's Seattle-area production facility, the world's largest building by volume.
Boeing decided to defer a $4-million US upgrade of its nearby development complex until later, said Pall, but the area was hit by quake in 2001.
"They didn't do it in time," he said. The assembly plant escaped unscathed, but the tech centre required $39 million US in damage repair and retrofitting.
Experts say its doubtful any system will ever be developed to predict precisely when and where a quake will strike or how strong it will be.
More "robust" modeling of seismic behaviour will help improve the accuracy of today's probability-based forecasts, but Ventura said there's some promise in short-term alarm systems.
"What we are now concentrating on is the warning system or notification system, that if an earthquake happens six kilometres from here, I have a device that's going to start beeping or doing something as soon as the shaking starts," he said.
The technology is based on the basic feature of quakes, which start with fast-moving but relatively benign vibrations known as P waves, followed by S waves that cause the real shaking.
"We detect P waves first and we have a few seconds before the S waves arrive," Ventura said.
Even a few seconds notice would allow for the automatic shutdown of, say, a natural gas distribution network or filling-station fuel pumps. Ultimately, Ventura said buildings could be equipped with quake alarms to give occupants a chance to take cover.
"It's being experimented with in Japan, California and Mexico," he said.
A problem with false alarms has kept the idea from widespread use. The systems sometimes can't tell the difference between a real tremor and blasting at a construction site.
Muir-Wood is skeptical about warning systems, saying they're only useful on big quakes that originate some distance from cities.
"Somewhere like Vancouver, if all you were concerned about was massive earthquakes from the Cascadia subduction zone, then a system of that kind might give you a minute's or half a minute's warning," he said.
"But there may be other local earthquakes which are closer to you which may not be as big, which are going to be damaging. For those it wouldn't really be helpful."
STEVE MERTL; © The Canadian Press, 2004
VANCOUVER (CP) - Avtar Pall is a softspoken Montreal engineer whose invention has probably saved millions of dollars and maybe even a few lives.
Pall's small company designs and builds earthquake shock absorbers for large buildings, part of an industry that's burgeoned in recent years as research into quakes translates into useable technology.
Products range from still rudimentary electronic quake warning systems to personal survival gear but the largest sector probably encompasses earthquake mitigation - trying to minimize the initial damage a tremour causes.
Research was the focus at the 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, which wrapped up here last week.
The quadrennial meeting of 2,500 scientists was held for the first time in Canada, which has active earthquake zones on the West Coast and south-central Canada.
The conference, which featured intricately scientific discussions, offered glimpses of how the intensive study of past quakes can be practically applied.
"Even earthquakes that occurred 20 or 30 years ago are still being studied and new information is being provided and more knowledge is being shared," said conference organizer Carlos Ventura.
"There are technologies now that were in the research stage 10, 15 years ago that now are being commercialized."
Ventura, a University of British Columbia engineering professor working in its earthquake engineering research lab, said the research finds its way into building codes, which are typically updated every five years.
"But by far the biggest advances are in key earthquakes," agreed Robert Muir-Wood, chief research officer for Risk Management Solutions, which supplies the insurance and re-insurance industries with highly precise catastrophe risk assessments.
Big advances have been made in the last 30 years based on data from major events such as the 1971 San Bernadino and 1994 Northridge quakes in California, he said.
The 1995 quake that devastated Kobe, Japan, also demonstrated how well buildings erected under 1980s code revisions could stand up to the shocks, Muir-Wood said from London.
"Typically it takes four or five years after the big earthquake before all the lessons have been learned and it's possible to put all the changes into the next version of the building code," said Muir-Wood.
Recent research into how a quake's awesome forces act on structures has helped mature the technology of energy dissipation, said Ventura.
"If a building cannot dissipate energy, that's where failure starts," he said. "What you want to do is control the elements that fail and as they fail the energy is being dissipated."
That's at the heart of Pall's seismic control friction dampers.
Pall's invention, inspired by his childhood observations of how automobiles braked to a stop in his native India, has been installed in dozens of new and retro-fitted buildings.
The system, first used in 1987 on the library building at Montreal's Concordia University, combines braces with shock absorbers that convert quake energy into heat through the friction caused by their movement.
Pall, who emigrated to Canada in the 1970s largely so he could pursue his research, said the dampers absorb up to 80 per cent of the quake's energy and starkly reduce its drift or range of motion.
Muir-Wood noted that building codes don't demand older buildings be upgraded but Pall gives a stark example of what happens when they're not.
His company, which employs about 40 people at its Montreal plant, was contracted in 1998 to retrofit aerospace giant Boeing's Seattle-area production facility, the world's largest building by volume.
Boeing decided to defer a $4-million US upgrade of its nearby development complex until later, said Pall, but the area was hit by quake in 2001.
"They didn't do it in time," he said. The assembly plant escaped unscathed, but the tech centre required $39 million US in damage repair and retrofitting.
Experts say its doubtful any system will ever be developed to predict precisely when and where a quake will strike or how strong it will be.
More "robust" modeling of seismic behaviour will help improve the accuracy of today's probability-based forecasts, but Ventura said there's some promise in short-term alarm systems.
"What we are now concentrating on is the warning system or notification system, that if an earthquake happens six kilometres from here, I have a device that's going to start beeping or doing something as soon as the shaking starts," he said.
The technology is based on the basic feature of quakes, which start with fast-moving but relatively benign vibrations known as P waves, followed by S waves that cause the real shaking.
"We detect P waves first and we have a few seconds before the S waves arrive," Ventura said.
Even a few seconds notice would allow for the automatic shutdown of, say, a natural gas distribution network or filling-station fuel pumps. Ultimately, Ventura said buildings could be equipped with quake alarms to give occupants a chance to take cover.
"It's being experimented with in Japan, California and Mexico," he said.
A problem with false alarms has kept the idea from widespread use. The systems sometimes can't tell the difference between a real tremor and blasting at a construction site.
Muir-Wood is skeptical about warning systems, saying they're only useful on big quakes that originate some distance from cities.
"Somewhere like Vancouver, if all you were concerned about was massive earthquakes from the Cascadia subduction zone, then a system of that kind might give you a minute's or half a minute's warning," he said.
"But there may be other local earthquakes which are closer to you which may not be as big, which are going to be damaging. For those it wouldn't really be helpful."
STEVE MERTL; © The Canadian Press, 2004
Littledragon
Above The Law
By Marsha Walton
CNN
Friday, July 23, 2004 Posted: 8:22 PM EDT (0022 GMT)
Markos Moulitsas runs the blog Daily Kos. Moulitsas will be blogging from Boston during the Democratic National Convention.
RELATED
• Daily Kos
• Instapundit
• Blogstreet
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
Boston (Massachusetts)
Parties
Media
or Create your own
Manage alerts | What is this?
(CNN) -- A new breed of political observers will be offering volumes of pointed commentary at this year's political conventions.
But most of these bloggers (short for Web loggers) don't fit the profile of a traditional journalist on the campaign trail.
"They are igniting a great deal of enthusiasm and energy among partisans, at least among some of the very political blogs out there," said Howard Finberg, faculty member of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, Florida.
For the first time, the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention will credential a small number of bloggers to cover their nominating processes. Blogging was in its infancy during the 2000 campaign.
Just as TV coverage of the presidential race gained its power with the televised debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960, Internet blogging seems to be coming into its own in 2004.
"I think we have to recognize that every media that comes along changes the shape and form of its predecessors," Finberg said. "It doesn't replace the previous form of communication, but it does provide another form of news and information. In the same way that the conventions have been changing, so has the media industry."
Whatever the political leanings of the bloggers, most agree that the new power of the blogosphere is what drives much of the Internet: interactivity.
"The whole point of blogging is this notion of participatory democracy," said Markos Moulitsas, who blogs at Dailykos.com. "And people appreciate that they are partners in this endeavor, that it's not just them taking marching orders, but it is them being asked their opinions, and their thoughts and suggestions on how to proceed."
Moulitsas, who will be blogging from Boston, Massachusetts, site of the Democratic convention, works closely with the party. He says he has raised more than $400,000 for Democratic candidates.
"I'm going to focus on what my audience really craves, which is information on Senate and House races, and the chances Democrats have in picking up particular races," he said.
'A very constructive response'
Glenn Reynolds, author of Instapundit.com, says blogs are prodding a lot of people into action.
"You can sit in your living room and shout at your television, which makes you feel helpless, you can turn off the television, which is no great solution, or you can try to do better yourself," said Reynolds, whose "day job" is a law professor at the University of Tennessee.
Blogger Glenn Reynolds is a law professor at the University of Tennessee.
"I think [blogs] are a very constructive response," he said.
Reynolds has no official ties to any party; his blog is usually described as conservative. He will not be in Boston.
Reynolds and Moulitsas routinely top the "Blog Influence Quotient" at Blogstreet.com, which monitors more than 144,000 blogging sites. Poynter's Finberg says original reporting and timeliness keep readers coming back to blogs.
"But there is a lot of silliness out there, Finberg said. "And there's lots of ranting out there. That's going to be the challenge for political bloggers and others, to be heard over the din."
"The blogosphere, the world of thousands of blogs, it's sort of an ecosystem happening, where certain blogs fill certain niches," Moulitsas said.
"There are blogs that, their role is to point people to interesting commentary, but I think Daily Kos was set up as a blog with more original content as opposed to directing people elsewhere," he said.
Although it's sometimes hard to sift through all the opinions, Reynolds says the e-mail he gets makes him feel much more a part of a global community.
"You just realize there are so many smart people out there, who have a lot of interesting insights, even though they don't have the traditional 'smart people' credentials," Reynolds said. "My favorite thing has been seeing Web logs start up in places you don't hear much from; the large number of Iraqi bloggers who are sometimes breaking news, and often adding a useful perspective on what's going on there."
CNN
Friday, July 23, 2004 Posted: 8:22 PM EDT (0022 GMT)
Markos Moulitsas runs the blog Daily Kos. Moulitsas will be blogging from Boston during the Democratic National Convention.
RELATED
• Daily Kos
• Instapundit
• Blogstreet
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
Boston (Massachusetts)
Parties
Media
or Create your own
Manage alerts | What is this?
(CNN) -- A new breed of political observers will be offering volumes of pointed commentary at this year's political conventions.
But most of these bloggers (short for Web loggers) don't fit the profile of a traditional journalist on the campaign trail.
"They are igniting a great deal of enthusiasm and energy among partisans, at least among some of the very political blogs out there," said Howard Finberg, faculty member of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, Florida.
For the first time, the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention will credential a small number of bloggers to cover their nominating processes. Blogging was in its infancy during the 2000 campaign.
Just as TV coverage of the presidential race gained its power with the televised debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960, Internet blogging seems to be coming into its own in 2004.
"I think we have to recognize that every media that comes along changes the shape and form of its predecessors," Finberg said. "It doesn't replace the previous form of communication, but it does provide another form of news and information. In the same way that the conventions have been changing, so has the media industry."
Whatever the political leanings of the bloggers, most agree that the new power of the blogosphere is what drives much of the Internet: interactivity.
"The whole point of blogging is this notion of participatory democracy," said Markos Moulitsas, who blogs at Dailykos.com. "And people appreciate that they are partners in this endeavor, that it's not just them taking marching orders, but it is them being asked their opinions, and their thoughts and suggestions on how to proceed."
Moulitsas, who will be blogging from Boston, Massachusetts, site of the Democratic convention, works closely with the party. He says he has raised more than $400,000 for Democratic candidates.
"I'm going to focus on what my audience really craves, which is information on Senate and House races, and the chances Democrats have in picking up particular races," he said.
'A very constructive response'
Glenn Reynolds, author of Instapundit.com, says blogs are prodding a lot of people into action.
"You can sit in your living room and shout at your television, which makes you feel helpless, you can turn off the television, which is no great solution, or you can try to do better yourself," said Reynolds, whose "day job" is a law professor at the University of Tennessee.
Blogger Glenn Reynolds is a law professor at the University of Tennessee.
"I think [blogs] are a very constructive response," he said.
Reynolds has no official ties to any party; his blog is usually described as conservative. He will not be in Boston.
Reynolds and Moulitsas routinely top the "Blog Influence Quotient" at Blogstreet.com, which monitors more than 144,000 blogging sites. Poynter's Finberg says original reporting and timeliness keep readers coming back to blogs.
"But there is a lot of silliness out there, Finberg said. "And there's lots of ranting out there. That's going to be the challenge for political bloggers and others, to be heard over the din."
"The blogosphere, the world of thousands of blogs, it's sort of an ecosystem happening, where certain blogs fill certain niches," Moulitsas said.
"There are blogs that, their role is to point people to interesting commentary, but I think Daily Kos was set up as a blog with more original content as opposed to directing people elsewhere," he said.
Although it's sometimes hard to sift through all the opinions, Reynolds says the e-mail he gets makes him feel much more a part of a global community.
"You just realize there are so many smart people out there, who have a lot of interesting insights, even though they don't have the traditional 'smart people' credentials," Reynolds said. "My favorite thing has been seeing Web logs start up in places you don't hear much from; the large number of Iraqi bloggers who are sometimes breaking news, and often adding a useful perspective on what's going on there."
Littledragon
Above The Law
(CNN) -- Some people say college football is even more exciting than the NFL. EA Sports is out to test that theory with "NCAA Football 2005."
The name of the game says it all. It's EA's latest football endeavor with all the rah-rah rowdiness of college ball.
"NCAA Football 2005" has dozens of plays to choose from. But it's what happens after the snap that sets this game apart from others. Each player has the basic running and passing capabilities. But he or she also has an increased arsenal of moves to keep the game realistic.
Offensively, players can dive if the defense is closing in. They can also spin, jump and hurdle. Keep these moves in mind while playing because since the players can rock 'n' roll like the real deal, the game is as fast as the real deal.
Moves for passing and receiving are enhanced. In addition to standard throwing, players can pump their arms to simulate a fake throw. They can also throw the ball away in emergencies.
As for receiving, prepare to go all out. Players can dive, jump and even sprint for passes.
Football is nothing without a strong defense. And there is much more in "NCAA Football 2005" to defense than just a straight tackle.
Similar to offense, players can dive, except that when playing defense they're doing it in a last-ditch effort to make a tackle. They also can strip the ball, swat it and strafe if necessary.
For added oomph, "NCAA Football 2005" gives players the capability to make a "big hit" when timed correctly. The defensive line also has special moves.
"NCAA Football 2005" allows you to take a bigger role as coach. Before the snap, you can see how each player fares against the defense he is matched up against.
If things aren't stacked up to your liking, you can coach a squad during time-outs. When playing defense, you can calm down your secondary, linebackers or defensive line.
There's no reason a team shouldn't have the home field advantage, even in a game. EA weaves this age-old factor into "NCAA Football 2005." The home team can rally the crowd.
For example, lots of noise can make audibles and play calls hard to hear. The crowd's cheering for the home team can rattle less experienced players.
"NCAA Football 2005" also comes packed with game-enhancing features. You can create your own school to see how it compares with actual NCAA teams. The same goes for individual players -- you're not just limited to each school's roster. If you're a solid coach, one of the most beneficial features is "Create-A-Playbook," where you invent your own plays.
"NCAA Football 2005" is a great game for reminiscing, especially for recent college grads. The stadiums look just like each school's, and the players and uniforms do too. This game also has truly great graphics.
If you miss the pros though, EA still has you covered. "Madden NFL 2005" is slated for release on August 12.
The name of the game says it all. It's EA's latest football endeavor with all the rah-rah rowdiness of college ball.
"NCAA Football 2005" has dozens of plays to choose from. But it's what happens after the snap that sets this game apart from others. Each player has the basic running and passing capabilities. But he or she also has an increased arsenal of moves to keep the game realistic.
Offensively, players can dive if the defense is closing in. They can also spin, jump and hurdle. Keep these moves in mind while playing because since the players can rock 'n' roll like the real deal, the game is as fast as the real deal.
Moves for passing and receiving are enhanced. In addition to standard throwing, players can pump their arms to simulate a fake throw. They can also throw the ball away in emergencies.
As for receiving, prepare to go all out. Players can dive, jump and even sprint for passes.
Football is nothing without a strong defense. And there is much more in "NCAA Football 2005" to defense than just a straight tackle.
Similar to offense, players can dive, except that when playing defense they're doing it in a last-ditch effort to make a tackle. They also can strip the ball, swat it and strafe if necessary.
For added oomph, "NCAA Football 2005" gives players the capability to make a "big hit" when timed correctly. The defensive line also has special moves.
"NCAA Football 2005" allows you to take a bigger role as coach. Before the snap, you can see how each player fares against the defense he is matched up against.
If things aren't stacked up to your liking, you can coach a squad during time-outs. When playing defense, you can calm down your secondary, linebackers or defensive line.
There's no reason a team shouldn't have the home field advantage, even in a game. EA weaves this age-old factor into "NCAA Football 2005." The home team can rally the crowd.
For example, lots of noise can make audibles and play calls hard to hear. The crowd's cheering for the home team can rattle less experienced players.
"NCAA Football 2005" also comes packed with game-enhancing features. You can create your own school to see how it compares with actual NCAA teams. The same goes for individual players -- you're not just limited to each school's roster. If you're a solid coach, one of the most beneficial features is "Create-A-Playbook," where you invent your own plays.
"NCAA Football 2005" is a great game for reminiscing, especially for recent college grads. The stadiums look just like each school's, and the players and uniforms do too. This game also has truly great graphics.
If you miss the pros though, EA still has you covered. "Madden NFL 2005" is slated for release on August 12.
yudansha
TheGreatOne
Sharp Systems introduces 3-D desktop computer display priced at US$1,499
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Hoping to spur a 3-D revolution, Sharp Systems of America introduced a new flat-panel computer display Monday that is designed to deliver eye-popping images without the need for special glasses.
Though a handful of lesser-known companies have produced stand-alone 3-D displays for the medical and scientific industries, Sharp's new 15-inch (37.5-centimetre) LCD display is the first to also target consumers, analysts say.
The Sharp LL-151-3D display, which costs $1,499 US, allows users to easily switch between two-dimensional and 3-D modes. The display has a special layer, which, when turned onto 3-D mode, helps create the illusion of 3-D vision, adding depth to images regardless of whether they were created in 3-D. The special effect is similar to the technology Sharp uses in one of its laptops introduced last year.
A growing number of video games, including ones for cell phones, feature 3-D effects. And software programs that allow users to turn conventional DVD movies or regular digital photos into 3-D images are starting to hit the market, said Ian Matthew, Sharp's 3D business development manager.
Also, graphics chip providers such as Nvidia Corp. and ATI Technologies are developing products that support 3-D images, while Sharp has joined with other companies, including Sony Corp. and Sanyo Electric Co., to create more 3-D applications. Toshiba Corp. announced earlier this year that it, too, was developing a 3-D display technology.
"Everyone believes that this market will move forward toward mass adoption," Matthew said. "Even though it's on the bleeding edge right now, it will get there."
MAY WONG; © The Canadian Press, 2004
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Hoping to spur a 3-D revolution, Sharp Systems of America introduced a new flat-panel computer display Monday that is designed to deliver eye-popping images without the need for special glasses.
Though a handful of lesser-known companies have produced stand-alone 3-D displays for the medical and scientific industries, Sharp's new 15-inch (37.5-centimetre) LCD display is the first to also target consumers, analysts say.
The Sharp LL-151-3D display, which costs $1,499 US, allows users to easily switch between two-dimensional and 3-D modes. The display has a special layer, which, when turned onto 3-D mode, helps create the illusion of 3-D vision, adding depth to images regardless of whether they were created in 3-D. The special effect is similar to the technology Sharp uses in one of its laptops introduced last year.
A growing number of video games, including ones for cell phones, feature 3-D effects. And software programs that allow users to turn conventional DVD movies or regular digital photos into 3-D images are starting to hit the market, said Ian Matthew, Sharp's 3D business development manager.
Also, graphics chip providers such as Nvidia Corp. and ATI Technologies are developing products that support 3-D images, while Sharp has joined with other companies, including Sony Corp. and Sanyo Electric Co., to create more 3-D applications. Toshiba Corp. announced earlier this year that it, too, was developing a 3-D display technology.
"Everyone believes that this market will move forward toward mass adoption," Matthew said. "Even though it's on the bleeding edge right now, it will get there."
MAY WONG; © The Canadian Press, 2004
Littledragon
Above The Law
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Microsoft announced Wednesday it would offer a low-cost starter edition of its Windows XP operating system in Asia starting in October, as it strives to hold onto market share facing erosion from the open-source Linux system and software piracy.
Although U.S. software giant Microsoft still holds a commanding share of the desktop PC market worldwide, several major computer retailers in Asia in the past year have begun offering hardware with Linux installed.
Industry analysts have described the launch of what already has been dubbed "XP Lite" -- with lower-resolution graphics, fewer networking options and less capacity for multitasking than full XP versions -- as a pre-emptive move against Linux.
Linux is open source software available for little or no cost to computer vendors and users because no licensing fee is charged in its basic form.
Microsoft also has said it hopes that the lower-priced products can help combat software piracy, which is rampant in the developing countries of Asia, where full-priced programs often are out of the reach of buyers.
The new software, officially called Windows XP Starter Edition, is "a low-cost introduction to the Microsoft Windows XP operating system designed for first-time desktop PC users in developing countries," Microsoft said in a news release.
Microsoft acknowledged earlier this year that it was working on the project, but kept details secret.
The Starter Edition will ship on new, low-cost desktop PCs available through manufacturers and Microsoft distributors in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, the company said.
It said two more countries in the five-country pilot program would be announced later this year following further discussions with governments, and that vendors would be informed about pricing in coming weeks.
Microsoft said key features of the new software would be "localized" help features, country-specific wallpapers and screensavers, and "preconfigured settings" for features that might confuse novices.
The new software's "simplified task management" in which "first-time home PC users can have up to three programs running concurrently" represents a downgrade from the standard XP system. A full XP version can run many more programs concurrently, depending on the amount of memory in a computer.
Other downgrades include "display resolution set to 800x600 maximum and no support for PC-to-PC home networking, sharing printers across a network or more advanced features such as the ability to establish multiple user accounts on a single PC," the company said.
The new software retains standard XP features such as Internet connectivity, Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player 9 and digital photography support.
Although U.S. software giant Microsoft still holds a commanding share of the desktop PC market worldwide, several major computer retailers in Asia in the past year have begun offering hardware with Linux installed.
Industry analysts have described the launch of what already has been dubbed "XP Lite" -- with lower-resolution graphics, fewer networking options and less capacity for multitasking than full XP versions -- as a pre-emptive move against Linux.
Linux is open source software available for little or no cost to computer vendors and users because no licensing fee is charged in its basic form.
Microsoft also has said it hopes that the lower-priced products can help combat software piracy, which is rampant in the developing countries of Asia, where full-priced programs often are out of the reach of buyers.
The new software, officially called Windows XP Starter Edition, is "a low-cost introduction to the Microsoft Windows XP operating system designed for first-time desktop PC users in developing countries," Microsoft said in a news release.
Microsoft acknowledged earlier this year that it was working on the project, but kept details secret.
The Starter Edition will ship on new, low-cost desktop PCs available through manufacturers and Microsoft distributors in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, the company said.
It said two more countries in the five-country pilot program would be announced later this year following further discussions with governments, and that vendors would be informed about pricing in coming weeks.
Microsoft said key features of the new software would be "localized" help features, country-specific wallpapers and screensavers, and "preconfigured settings" for features that might confuse novices.
The new software's "simplified task management" in which "first-time home PC users can have up to three programs running concurrently" represents a downgrade from the standard XP system. A full XP version can run many more programs concurrently, depending on the amount of memory in a computer.
Other downgrades include "display resolution set to 800x600 maximum and no support for PC-to-PC home networking, sharing printers across a network or more advanced features such as the ability to establish multiple user accounts on a single PC," the company said.
The new software retains standard XP features such as Internet connectivity, Windows Messenger, Windows Media Player 9 and digital photography support.
Littledragon
Above The Law
LONDON, England (AP) -- Britain granted its first license for human cloning Wednesday, more than three years after becoming the first nation to authorize the technique to produce stem cells for medical research.
A team of researchers at Newcastle University hope eventually to create insulin-producing cells that could be transplanted into diabetic patients.
Britain became the first country to authorize the cloning of human embryos when Parliament voted in 2001 to allow regulators to license the method to scientists investigating the medical promise of stem cells, the master cells of the body.
The South Korean parliament followed in December, and by February scientists there announced they had become the first in the world to successfully clone a human embryo and extract stem cells for research.
The stem cells are extracted when the embryo is still microscopic. British regulations allow the embryo to develop for no more than 14 days, after which the embryo starts to develop a nervous system.
Many scientists believe stem cells hold vast promise for treating an array of diseases from diabetes to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Stem cells can potentially grow into any type of human tissue and scientists hope to be able to direct the blank cells to grow into specific cell types needed for transplant.
The United States prohibits any kind of embryo cloning and has lobbied strongly against it. The Bush administration also has restricted funding for stem cell research, which has become an issue in the U.S. presidential campaign.
U.S. policy forbids federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines created after Aug. 9, 2001. Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry has said that if elected he would overturn those funding restrictions.
Some Christian and politically conservative groups oppose stem cell research -- especially cloning -- as immoral because fertilized embryos must be destroyed to harvest the stem cells.
Stem cells can be found in adults, but scientists believe they may not be as versatile as those found in embryos. They envision using cloning to create an embryo cloned from a patient so that stem cells extracted would be a perfect transplant match.
"After careful consideration of all the scientific, ethical, legal and medical aspects of the project, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority License Committee agreed to grant an initial one year research license to the Newcastle Center for Life," the British regulator said in a statement.
"This is an important area of research and a responsible use of technology. The HFEA is there to make sure any research involving human embryos is scrutinized and properly regulated."
Regulations on cloning and stem cell research vary around the world. No other European country licenses the practice.
In Japan, the government's top science council voted last month to adopt policy recommendations that would permit limited cloning of human embryos for stem cell research in Japan.
This year, the United Nations will revisit the issue of whether to propose an international treaty to ban "therapeutic" cloning -- which produces stem cells from cloned embryos -- as well as "reproductive" cloning, which makes babies.
A team of researchers at Newcastle University hope eventually to create insulin-producing cells that could be transplanted into diabetic patients.
Britain became the first country to authorize the cloning of human embryos when Parliament voted in 2001 to allow regulators to license the method to scientists investigating the medical promise of stem cells, the master cells of the body.
The South Korean parliament followed in December, and by February scientists there announced they had become the first in the world to successfully clone a human embryo and extract stem cells for research.
The stem cells are extracted when the embryo is still microscopic. British regulations allow the embryo to develop for no more than 14 days, after which the embryo starts to develop a nervous system.
Many scientists believe stem cells hold vast promise for treating an array of diseases from diabetes to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Stem cells can potentially grow into any type of human tissue and scientists hope to be able to direct the blank cells to grow into specific cell types needed for transplant.
The United States prohibits any kind of embryo cloning and has lobbied strongly against it. The Bush administration also has restricted funding for stem cell research, which has become an issue in the U.S. presidential campaign.
U.S. policy forbids federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines created after Aug. 9, 2001. Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry has said that if elected he would overturn those funding restrictions.
Some Christian and politically conservative groups oppose stem cell research -- especially cloning -- as immoral because fertilized embryos must be destroyed to harvest the stem cells.
Stem cells can be found in adults, but scientists believe they may not be as versatile as those found in embryos. They envision using cloning to create an embryo cloned from a patient so that stem cells extracted would be a perfect transplant match.
"After careful consideration of all the scientific, ethical, legal and medical aspects of the project, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority License Committee agreed to grant an initial one year research license to the Newcastle Center for Life," the British regulator said in a statement.
"This is an important area of research and a responsible use of technology. The HFEA is there to make sure any research involving human embryos is scrutinized and properly regulated."
Regulations on cloning and stem cell research vary around the world. No other European country licenses the practice.
In Japan, the government's top science council voted last month to adopt policy recommendations that would permit limited cloning of human embryos for stem cell research in Japan.
This year, the United Nations will revisit the issue of whether to propose an international treaty to ban "therapeutic" cloning -- which produces stem cells from cloned embryos -- as well as "reproductive" cloning, which makes babies.
Littledragon
Above The Law
CNN) -- Grab a blade -- and maybe some bandages -- because there are two new sword-fighting games on the market. In one, you find yourself slicing and dicing ruthless gangs in feudal Japan. In the other, you slash hordes of demons intent on finishing off humanity.
First up is Capcom's "Way of the Samurai 2." It's set toward the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate's dynasty. The shogun is scheming to annex new territories to counter the threat of foreign powers. And he wants to move on the town of Amahara. However, the Amahara magistrate's office rules with an iron fist in an effort to keep him out. At the same time, the Aoto Gang also wants to rule the town. Then one day, a lone samurai, who can tip the balance of power in either direction, arrives.
One cool thing about "Way of the Samurai 2" is that your decisions and interactions with people can change the outcome of the game. You can increase the power of the magistrate's office, the Aoto Gang, or the townspeople by cooperating with them, using their stores and other such actions. When the townspeople grow more powerful, goods become cheaper and increase in variety. On the flip side, if you repeatedly act like a villain you may also find yourself barred from using some of the town's amenities. That's something the shogun would love.
"Way of the Samurai 2" has several swords and similar weapons at your disposal. But it's up to you to buy them, train with them and use them. Be warned, learn the various fighting moves, or you could end up looking like something with which a blender has had its way.
Next up is Taito's "Bujingai: The Forsaken City." The story begins in the 23rd century, when an attempt to develop a clean source of nuclear power goes terribly wrong. Seventy percent of the Earth's population is killed instantly. Those who survived were graced with supernatural abilities. But over time, they too began disappearing mysteriously.
Soon afterward, demons appeared to dominate Earth and enslave the remaining survivors. After centuries of honing their supernatural skills, only the greatest warriors remained. And you are among them, charged with the responsibility of reclaiming Earth.
"Bujingai" mostly revolves around combat. The story does not vary much and follows a single track. Either you win or lose. The cool thing is that you have a variety of characters to choose from, each with a slew of swords and spells to use.
Taito's "Bujingai: The Forsaken City"
The environment adds a sense of realism to "Bujingai." As Taito puts it, "Free your mind." You can run up walls and even fly in some instances. Use the environment to take short cuts, gain a tactical advantage over enemies and search for hidden items.
All said and done, both games offer a new feel to sword fighting. And they both have wonderful graphics. "Samurai" takes you to old-school Japan, complete with dress, weaponry and mannerisms. "Bujingai" puts forth a sense of mysticism with its futuristic setting and wild spells.
First up is Capcom's "Way of the Samurai 2." It's set toward the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate's dynasty. The shogun is scheming to annex new territories to counter the threat of foreign powers. And he wants to move on the town of Amahara. However, the Amahara magistrate's office rules with an iron fist in an effort to keep him out. At the same time, the Aoto Gang also wants to rule the town. Then one day, a lone samurai, who can tip the balance of power in either direction, arrives.
One cool thing about "Way of the Samurai 2" is that your decisions and interactions with people can change the outcome of the game. You can increase the power of the magistrate's office, the Aoto Gang, or the townspeople by cooperating with them, using their stores and other such actions. When the townspeople grow more powerful, goods become cheaper and increase in variety. On the flip side, if you repeatedly act like a villain you may also find yourself barred from using some of the town's amenities. That's something the shogun would love.
"Way of the Samurai 2" has several swords and similar weapons at your disposal. But it's up to you to buy them, train with them and use them. Be warned, learn the various fighting moves, or you could end up looking like something with which a blender has had its way.
Next up is Taito's "Bujingai: The Forsaken City." The story begins in the 23rd century, when an attempt to develop a clean source of nuclear power goes terribly wrong. Seventy percent of the Earth's population is killed instantly. Those who survived were graced with supernatural abilities. But over time, they too began disappearing mysteriously.
Soon afterward, demons appeared to dominate Earth and enslave the remaining survivors. After centuries of honing their supernatural skills, only the greatest warriors remained. And you are among them, charged with the responsibility of reclaiming Earth.
"Bujingai" mostly revolves around combat. The story does not vary much and follows a single track. Either you win or lose. The cool thing is that you have a variety of characters to choose from, each with a slew of swords and spells to use.
Taito's "Bujingai: The Forsaken City"
The environment adds a sense of realism to "Bujingai." As Taito puts it, "Free your mind." You can run up walls and even fly in some instances. Use the environment to take short cuts, gain a tactical advantage over enemies and search for hidden items.
All said and done, both games offer a new feel to sword fighting. And they both have wonderful graphics. "Samurai" takes you to old-school Japan, complete with dress, weaponry and mannerisms. "Bujingai" puts forth a sense of mysticism with its futuristic setting and wild spells.
Littledragon
Above The Law
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- NASA said Tuesday it is moving ahead with plans to send a robot to the rescue of the aging Hubble Space Telescope.
The leading candidate is a clunky contraption named Dextre that bears little resemblance to movie-inspired visions of a robot.
A final decision won't be made until next summer on whether to launch the two-armed Dextre -- short for dexterous -- or any other robot to Hubble's rescue in 3 1/2 years.
But already, it looks as though the Canadian Space Agency's robot could accomplish most, if not everything, that spacewalking astronauts were meant to do. Dextre was originally designed for handiwork at the international space station.
Normally, astronauts would work on Hubble, and there are many hurdles to relying on robots to fix all that ails the 14-year-old telescope.
But months ago NASA's chief, Sean O'Keefe, nixed an astronaut mission because of safety concerns with space shuttles since the Columbia disaster.
It appeared the Hubble would be doomed, unable to send back more of its dramatic pictures in a few years. But a groundswell of support from astronomers and scientists opened the door to considering robots.
Now, after months of engineering analysis, robots are clearly the space agency's favored approach.
On Monday, O'Keefe gave his strongest endorsement yet of a robotic mission, praising the preliminary work done by Hubble scientists and engineers at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and urging them to press ahead with fix-it plans minus astronauts.
"Everybody says, 'We want to save the Hubble' -- well, let's go save the Hubble," O'Keefe said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel.
O'Keefe plans to ask Congress for money to accomplish the job.
He estimates it will take about $1 billion to $1.6 billion to develop and launch a robot to make the needed upgrades to keep the popular observatory running and to get it out of orbit once its work is through.
Of all the robots that have been proposed for saving Hubble, including NASA's own humanoid Robonaut, Dextre holds the most promise for being ready on time, said Al Diaz, NASA's science mission boss.
"As it turns out, we haven't found any tasks that I would characterize as being outside the capability range of the robot that we have planned," Diaz said in a news briefing. "Now I think, though, you have to take into consideration the risk that's associated with doing those tasks."
Dextre could open and close the doors of Hubble to get at science instruments, for example, and use tools to install a slew of new parts, Diaz said. But some of the doors on the 14-year-old telescope could be warped; one was misaligned and difficult for an astronaut to close a full decade ago.
"What we need to do now is look at the full mission and understand what the risks are that are associated with each of the tasks that we want to do, and then what our fallback positions are," Diaz said.
He said the guiding principle is, "Do no harm."
Among the most pressing tasks: installing fresh batteries and new gyroscopes to keep it stabilized and replacing two science instruments with more advanced cameras. Engineers are just now looking at whether a robot could fix a 7-year-old spectrograph on Hubble that shut down last week.
The goal is to give Hubble five years of life beyond any repair mission. Without help, the on-board batteries will probably be the first to go, in 2007 or 2008.
If Dextre is, indeed, picked for the job, it's uncertain whether the one already built for space station use would be sent to Hubble or whether a replica would be fashioned.
The robot is supposed to be launched to the space station in 2007, to supplement the Canadian-built robotic arm already there and to handle the more adroit chores.
The leading candidate is a clunky contraption named Dextre that bears little resemblance to movie-inspired visions of a robot.
A final decision won't be made until next summer on whether to launch the two-armed Dextre -- short for dexterous -- or any other robot to Hubble's rescue in 3 1/2 years.
But already, it looks as though the Canadian Space Agency's robot could accomplish most, if not everything, that spacewalking astronauts were meant to do. Dextre was originally designed for handiwork at the international space station.
Normally, astronauts would work on Hubble, and there are many hurdles to relying on robots to fix all that ails the 14-year-old telescope.
But months ago NASA's chief, Sean O'Keefe, nixed an astronaut mission because of safety concerns with space shuttles since the Columbia disaster.
It appeared the Hubble would be doomed, unable to send back more of its dramatic pictures in a few years. But a groundswell of support from astronomers and scientists opened the door to considering robots.
Now, after months of engineering analysis, robots are clearly the space agency's favored approach.
On Monday, O'Keefe gave his strongest endorsement yet of a robotic mission, praising the preliminary work done by Hubble scientists and engineers at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and urging them to press ahead with fix-it plans minus astronauts.
"Everybody says, 'We want to save the Hubble' -- well, let's go save the Hubble," O'Keefe said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel.
O'Keefe plans to ask Congress for money to accomplish the job.
He estimates it will take about $1 billion to $1.6 billion to develop and launch a robot to make the needed upgrades to keep the popular observatory running and to get it out of orbit once its work is through.
Of all the robots that have been proposed for saving Hubble, including NASA's own humanoid Robonaut, Dextre holds the most promise for being ready on time, said Al Diaz, NASA's science mission boss.
"As it turns out, we haven't found any tasks that I would characterize as being outside the capability range of the robot that we have planned," Diaz said in a news briefing. "Now I think, though, you have to take into consideration the risk that's associated with doing those tasks."
Dextre could open and close the doors of Hubble to get at science instruments, for example, and use tools to install a slew of new parts, Diaz said. But some of the doors on the 14-year-old telescope could be warped; one was misaligned and difficult for an astronaut to close a full decade ago.
"What we need to do now is look at the full mission and understand what the risks are that are associated with each of the tasks that we want to do, and then what our fallback positions are," Diaz said.
He said the guiding principle is, "Do no harm."
Among the most pressing tasks: installing fresh batteries and new gyroscopes to keep it stabilized and replacing two science instruments with more advanced cameras. Engineers are just now looking at whether a robot could fix a 7-year-old spectrograph on Hubble that shut down last week.
The goal is to give Hubble five years of life beyond any repair mission. Without help, the on-board batteries will probably be the first to go, in 2007 or 2008.
If Dextre is, indeed, picked for the job, it's uncertain whether the one already built for space station use would be sent to Hubble or whether a replica would be fashioned.
The robot is supposed to be launched to the space station in 2007, to supplement the Canadian-built robotic arm already there and to handle the more adroit chores.
Littledragon
Above The Law
NEW YORK (AP) -- Stuffing something in a public locker usually isn't a memorable experience. You drop a coin, take the key and move on.
But at the Statue of Liberty, recently reopened after a two-year closure, stashing a package offers a glimpse into the future. To rent, close and reopen lockers, visitors touch an electronic reader that scans fingerprints.
"It's easy," Taiwanese visitor Yu-Sheng Lee, 26, said after stowing a bag. "I think it's good. I don't have to worry about a key or something like that."
Like nearly every other tourist at the statue that day, this was Lee's first experience with biometrics -- the identification of an individual based on personal characteristics like fingerprints, facial features or iris patterns.
While the technology is not new, having seen use for years to restrict access in corporate and military settings, it is only now creeping into everyday life. Over the next few years, people currently unfamiliar with the technology will be asked to use it in everything from travel settings to financial transactions.
The Nine Zero, an upscale hotel in Boston, recently began letting guests in its $3,000-a-night Cloud Nine suite enter and exit by looking into a camera that analyzes their iris patterns. Piggly Wiggly Co. grocery stores in the South just launched a pay-by-fingerprint system, though pilot tests elsewhere have had lukewarm results.
"All these customer-facing applications, they're emerging," said Joseph Kim, a consultant with the International Biometric Group, which follows the industry. "We'll be seeing a lot more very, very soon. Whether that sticks or not depends on how customers feel about it."
Feelings seemed mixed about the lockers at the Statue of Liberty on a muggy New York afternoon last week.
Some people were befuddled by the system and had to put their fingers on the reader several times before a scan was properly made. Others forgot their locker number upon their return, or didn't remember which finger they had used to check it out. One young woman accidentally put her ticket to the statue in the locker, requiring her to open it and then re-register it all over again with another finger scan.
With all the confusion, lines at the three touchscreen kiosks that control the bank of 170 lockers frequently stretched six or seven people deep, requiring a five-minute wait.
"I think it's overly complicated. It takes too much time," said Stephen Chemsak, 26, who lives in Japan. To him the old-fashioned key system would have been much better.
The lockers were made necessary by new security measures at the statue that include a ban on large packages. Brad Hill, whose family business, Evelyn Hill Inc., has run the island's concessions for 73 years, decided that the usual public lockers would be problematic because people often lose the keys. And that seemed to become even more likely now that tourists have to empty their pockets for a metal detector on their way into the statue.
"Biometrics seemed the most logical choice," he said. After all, he added with a laugh, people "don't lose their finger."
Hill expects visitors will find the lockers easier once they get used to them. Representatives from the locker maker, Smarte Carte Inc., say the biometric aspect often requires a fair amount of coaching, especially for people who aren't very familiar with computers.
Smarte Carte's fingerprint lockers were introduced two years ago at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, and also can be found in Chicago's Union Station and the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks in Florida.
The company adopted the biometric system for the airport lockers to assure the Transportation Security Administration that the bins could not be rented by one person then opened by someone else.
Fingerprint biometric systems generally work by reducing the image of a print to a template, a mathematic algorithm that gets stored in a database and can be checked when the person returns for later scans. In applications like the biometric lockers, the print itself is not stored or sent to authorities.
However, prints are being run through terrorist watch lists in the biggest deployment of biometrics yet -- the federal government's new system for tracking foreign travelers.
Now in its early stages, the program, known as US-VISIT, calls for visitors to go through biometric scans to ensure that they are who their visa or passport says they are. Passports issued by the United States and other countries are getting new chips that will have facial-recognition data, and other biometrics might be added.
Separately, iris-scanning systems have cropped up in European airports as a way to speed immigration controls.
But you won't have to be a jet-setter to encounter biometrics more and more. For one, it's increasingly being used to control access to computers.
And scattered grocery stores have tested systems that let consumers check out with a touch of a fingerprint scanner. Piggly Wiggly recently installed such a system at four South Carolina stores and expects to expand it to 116 other outlets, saying it offers speed, convenience and protection against credit card theft.
But at the Statue of Liberty, recently reopened after a two-year closure, stashing a package offers a glimpse into the future. To rent, close and reopen lockers, visitors touch an electronic reader that scans fingerprints.
"It's easy," Taiwanese visitor Yu-Sheng Lee, 26, said after stowing a bag. "I think it's good. I don't have to worry about a key or something like that."
Like nearly every other tourist at the statue that day, this was Lee's first experience with biometrics -- the identification of an individual based on personal characteristics like fingerprints, facial features or iris patterns.
While the technology is not new, having seen use for years to restrict access in corporate and military settings, it is only now creeping into everyday life. Over the next few years, people currently unfamiliar with the technology will be asked to use it in everything from travel settings to financial transactions.
The Nine Zero, an upscale hotel in Boston, recently began letting guests in its $3,000-a-night Cloud Nine suite enter and exit by looking into a camera that analyzes their iris patterns. Piggly Wiggly Co. grocery stores in the South just launched a pay-by-fingerprint system, though pilot tests elsewhere have had lukewarm results.
"All these customer-facing applications, they're emerging," said Joseph Kim, a consultant with the International Biometric Group, which follows the industry. "We'll be seeing a lot more very, very soon. Whether that sticks or not depends on how customers feel about it."
Feelings seemed mixed about the lockers at the Statue of Liberty on a muggy New York afternoon last week.
Some people were befuddled by the system and had to put their fingers on the reader several times before a scan was properly made. Others forgot their locker number upon their return, or didn't remember which finger they had used to check it out. One young woman accidentally put her ticket to the statue in the locker, requiring her to open it and then re-register it all over again with another finger scan.
With all the confusion, lines at the three touchscreen kiosks that control the bank of 170 lockers frequently stretched six or seven people deep, requiring a five-minute wait.
"I think it's overly complicated. It takes too much time," said Stephen Chemsak, 26, who lives in Japan. To him the old-fashioned key system would have been much better.
The lockers were made necessary by new security measures at the statue that include a ban on large packages. Brad Hill, whose family business, Evelyn Hill Inc., has run the island's concessions for 73 years, decided that the usual public lockers would be problematic because people often lose the keys. And that seemed to become even more likely now that tourists have to empty their pockets for a metal detector on their way into the statue.
"Biometrics seemed the most logical choice," he said. After all, he added with a laugh, people "don't lose their finger."
Hill expects visitors will find the lockers easier once they get used to them. Representatives from the locker maker, Smarte Carte Inc., say the biometric aspect often requires a fair amount of coaching, especially for people who aren't very familiar with computers.
Smarte Carte's fingerprint lockers were introduced two years ago at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, and also can be found in Chicago's Union Station and the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks in Florida.
The company adopted the biometric system for the airport lockers to assure the Transportation Security Administration that the bins could not be rented by one person then opened by someone else.
Fingerprint biometric systems generally work by reducing the image of a print to a template, a mathematic algorithm that gets stored in a database and can be checked when the person returns for later scans. In applications like the biometric lockers, the print itself is not stored or sent to authorities.
However, prints are being run through terrorist watch lists in the biggest deployment of biometrics yet -- the federal government's new system for tracking foreign travelers.
Now in its early stages, the program, known as US-VISIT, calls for visitors to go through biometric scans to ensure that they are who their visa or passport says they are. Passports issued by the United States and other countries are getting new chips that will have facial-recognition data, and other biometrics might be added.
Separately, iris-scanning systems have cropped up in European airports as a way to speed immigration controls.
But you won't have to be a jet-setter to encounter biometrics more and more. For one, it's increasingly being used to control access to computers.
And scattered grocery stores have tested systems that let consumers check out with a touch of a fingerprint scanner. Piggly Wiggly recently installed such a system at four South Carolina stores and expects to expand it to 116 other outlets, saying it offers speed, convenience and protection against credit card theft.