kimblr.com

Alan Cox’s webpage, with an excellent selection of news feeds.
Their weekly coverage of Linux news is unmatched in this community.
All software updates are announced on Freshmeat.
Excellent news for embedded Linux. See also their sister site DesktopLinux.com.
Long-time favorite Linux-related “e-zine”. Outstanding articles! Comes out monthly.
Free Software Magazine is a magazine entirely dedicated to free software. It contains quality articles relating to both technical and non-technical issues.
Open Source articles, reviews, tid-bits, and software. On O’Reilly Network.
Discussion forums for Linux users.
Discussion forums and news.
A collection of Linux and free software news RSS feeds.
I haven’t read Slashdot a single time since discovering Digg.com.
News website pertaining to mobile technologies.
In this week’s Roundup we have Essential Thunderbird add-ons, Microsoft Free - One year later, Google Gadgets for Linux, 42 More of the Best Free Linux Games and Could the eeePC end up being Microsoft’s trojan horse? We have two LXer Features, a review of the EeePC entitled “Wow! It’s PINK!” and the continuation of Herschel Cohen’s HTML series “Web Input - Securing Data, Second Level of Defense”, also Ken Starks finds out that his Linux box is infected. To wrap things up, in our FUD section we have the SourceForge.net 2008 Community Choice Awards brought to you by Microsoft, at least it sure seems that way, and Novell joins Microsoft in Anti-Linux FUD. Enjoy!
In this week’s Roundup we have Essential Thunderbird add-ons, Microsoft Free - One year later, Google Gadgets for Linux, 42 More of the Best Free Linux Games and Could the eeePC end up being Microsoft’s trojan horse? We have two LXer Features, a review of the EeePC entitled “Wow! It’s PINK!” and the continuation of Herschel Cohen’s HTML series “Web Input - Securing Data, Second Level of Defense”, also Ken Starks finds out that his Linux box is infected. To wrap things up, in our FUD section we have the SourceForge.net 2008 Community Choice Awards brought to you by Microsoft, at least it sure seems that way, and Novell joins Microsoft in Anti-Linux FUD. Enjoy!

lxer.com

Ben Affleck was one of the first A list celebrities in Hollywood to endorse the junior Senator from Illinois.
Affleck’s commitment to Obama knows no bounds. Whether its wearing an Obama T-Shirt while going for coffee with his wife Jennifer Garner and baby Violet, or speaking on the campaign trail, Affleck will be a face often seen in the Fall Presidential campaign.
Affleck is long a political activist and many believe he will someday run for office.
The Obama girl is not the only female with a crush on the potential next President of the United States.
This superstar may serve as Woody Allen’s muse of late, but it Scarlett Johansson’s support as well as Affleck’s that made it OK for those in Hollywood to pop on that Barack Obama pin.
Johansson is routinely passing out Obama buttons, bumper stickers and even gave a shout out to the candidate on her debut CD’s liner notes.
Also watch for Johanssen to appear for Obama as the candidate wishes.
She has already been a part of video compilations put together by Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am.
Another early supporter of Barack Obama, “Private Practice” star Kate Walsh is never seen without her Barack Obama pin. Whether stylishly sporting it on a dashing coat or flashing the two-handed “O” to paparazzi that follow her every move, when it comes to passion for politics, Kate Walsh has a heart solely set on Obama’s historic run to become America’s first African American president.
Obama’s first celebrity endorsement was the biggest. Oprah Winfrey came out for her local Senator in the early going. It was her on the campaign trail in South Carolina that convinced African Americans that this candidate was for real and they, as a people, had a true shot at making history if they got behind the man from the South side of Chicago.

sheknows.com

Though the plan still needs approval from the state Department of Education, the community has largely supported it, and districts in other states cite educational benefits in concentrated instruction time and fewer absences. Administrators allow that some parents, especially of younger children, are worried about increased child care costs, but note that four longer school days will partially offset the one-day increase.
"The four-day week saves [the district] money," said school board Chairman Randy Janssen. "If we don’t do it, we will have to cut more programs or staff."
Education Department spokesman Randy Wanke said in a statement that the department had never had a district request to move to a four-day week, but that Commissioner Alice Seagren would evaluate the proposal’s legality.
A similar proposal was rejected in the Osseo District in 2002. Some school boards are expressing renewed interest this year, with declining enrollment and accompanying budget concerns, said Charlie Kyte, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.
Kyte was careful to say he does not oppose alternative schedules, but cautioned that any district that makes such radical change should be prepared to work to have parents and staff buy in, and to make sure that the extra hour each day is productive.
Overall, reaction from parents in the 700-student MACCRAY District has been more positive than negative, Superintendent Greg Schmidt said.
Janssen said the handful of letters and e-mails he received were about two-thirds in favor of the plan.
"Some say, let’s not continue to cut programs," Schmidt said. "They want to have electives for their kids, especially high school kids. If we don’t do this, that’s $65,000 we have to get somewhere else."
MACCRAY administrators expect about $65,000 in transportation savings. And depending on next year’s fuel costs, they could save as much as $20,000 in utility costs, with three buildings shuttered one more day a week.

startribune.com

This article appeared in the Guardian on Tuesday May 13 2008 on p31 of the TV and radio section. It was last updated at 00:07 on May 13 2008.
Unlike Tony Curtis, who kissed her hand, and Joan Rivers, who thought her awesome, Salman Rushdie took a refreshingly lemony view of Dr Pamela Connolly, psychiatry and Shrink Rap (More4). “What are people going to tell you,” he asked, “that you don’t know about yourself?”
He described a session with another psychiatrist. It hadn’t gone swimmingly.
“I felt, ‘You’re an idiot!’ I felt total contempt for the person who was doing it. He was, like yourself, a person of Australianess. He had a sort of bouffant, blond hairdo and sneakers. He produced a pink, plastic baseball bat and a little pouffe, a sort of beanbag, and he asked us to hit the beanbag with the baseball bat and to say who we were hitting, and why. I declined.” Pamela Connolly, wearing her long, blond hair over her shoulders like a veil and an air of almost unnerving sanctity, said she had been taught that, if patients described a previous psychiatrist, they were probably talking about her.
So, what had it been like this time? “It’s been quite weird,” he said, laughing so much he wheezed.
Waking the Dead (BBC1) is well named. Short of the Somme there has been nothing like it for noise. Loud swushing sounds, claps of thunder, sudden shrieks and doom-laden, dialogue-drowning drumming. The dead who were not awake at the end of this deserve the Brent Scowcroft award for sleeping on duty. Brent Scowcroft, America’s National Security Adviser, is remembered solely for being photo-graphed sound asleep at some cerem-ony. His sought-after award is given only to people who go to sleep in the most embarassing situation possible.

guardian.co.uk

May 11 2008 by James Corrigan, Wales on Sunday
THOSE football snobs will undoubtedly be out in force this next seven days, scratching their oh-so knowledgeable brows.
They will then reach their grand conclusion that the sight of Cardiff City in the FA Cup final may be all very heart-warming, but in reality it is a slur on the old competition.
‘Balls’ is the word your looking for. Let the know-it-alls say what they want. Up there in the intelligentsia seats, they know the diddly part of squat.
Cardiff City are, in fact, the saviours of the FA Cup. They have returned it to what it used to be, to how it was always meant to be. It wasn’t supposed to be the preserve of the four teams with the most money. It was the preserve of the people and was the living embodiment that dreams really do happen.
It was the Rocky story way before Sly Stallone believed he’d thought it up.
History just does not support the argument that the cup has somehow been besmirched by the Bluebirds’ presence at Wembley. This column holds Bob Wilson (the old Arsenal goalkeeper, not the one who appeared at Ninian Park) in some affection but has to take issue with his claim on Radio Five on Friday that “the cup has sadly been devalued”.
Why has it been devalued? Just because a Championship team has had the temerity to rise above its station? Because that is all that has happened regardless of the strength of teams that Sir Alex, Arsene and Co fielded.
Can I just remind Bob and anyone who wants to peddle the “devalued” myth what came to pass in 1980, the last time a team outside the top division lifted the famous urn. West Ham defeated Arsenal and all bar the Highbury fans rejoiced.

icwales.icnetwork.co.uk

Millions of Americans will be celebrating Mother’s Day. It is a day when families get together to honor the mothers in their lives.
However, Mother’s Day in Islam is celebrated on the auspicious birth anniversary of Fatemah, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad on June 24 (20th Jamadiul Sani). In Iran, the day is celebrated as Mother’s Day and Women’s Week. Fatemah is a perfect role model for all women, in all places and at all times. The character and personality of Fatemah described by the late Imam Khomeini, as ”the manifestation of all the virtues one can imagine for a human being. She is a moral and spiritual woman, the absolute pattern for humanity, and the embodiment of truth for not only women but men as well.” Fatemah was a wonderful daughter, exemplary bride and virtuous wife.
All regions have given mother and daughters an honorable status. We all are indebted to our mothers not only for nourishing us in the womb, but for going through pain and suffering. Mothers loved us even before we were born. They toiled when we were absolutely helpless infants. They spent sleepless nights, suffering anxieties, while caring for us. They provided shelter against heat and cold. Surely, it is not possible to repay that fully. In lieu of this, it becomes obligatory for us to show utmost kindness, respect and obedience to our mothers. The Quran places the importance of kindness to parents as second only to worshipping God Almighty. In Islam, the honor, respect and esteem attached to motherhood are unparalleled. Prophet Muhammad has eloquently described the status of mothers in Islam:”A man asked the Prophet: ‘Whom should I honor most?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Your mother.’ ‘And who comes next?’ asked the man. The Prophet replied: ‘Your mother.’ ‘And who comes next?’ asked the man. The Prophet replied: ‘Your mother!’ ‘And who comes next?’ asked the man. The Prophet replied: ‘Your father.”’

mcall.com

THE two children injured in the car crash which claimed seven lives in Gloucestershire last week are making good progress in hospital.
Their mother, Tina Stone, who has been dividing her time between their bedsides at two different Bristol hospitals, revealed the news while expressing her thanks for the support she and they are receiving.
Adam Stone, 10, and his sister, Sophie Stone, nine, who are both pupils at Stow Primary School, were rear seat passengers in a green VW Passat which was struck head-on by a Peugeot 306 on the A429 last Friday. Their grandparents and aunt who were also in the vehicle were killed, as were all four occupants of the other car.
Speaking publicly of their condition for the first time, Tina, who is 38 and lives in Stow said: “They are making good progress and Adam particularly is doing really well and even able to have a bit of a conversation.
“Sophie managed to eat something for the first time today and to drink some tea and she got out of bed to play the Playstation for a bit. Adam also managed to have a drink through a straw and to eat some ice-cream.
“They’re probably going to be in hospital for at least a few months but I’m hoping they’ll be moved to Gloucester before long.”

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