Our machine broke early in April and we’ve resorted to local newspaper trying to find handy-man skilled in repairing large kitchen appliances ( shouldn’t be that difficult unless we do have skills shortage in that area too ?! ). We’ve found RC Slater on 083 727 4812 ( try to call this number just for curiosity sake … advanced use of mobile technology is rather amazing). To make long story short, after failing to fix our machine he gained access to our house while we were at work, removed machine from the premises without notifying us and, guess what ? Yes, he is not returning our phone calls and we are without machine for more than a month.

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Strangely enough ... Our own infamous traffic system is registered as .COM domain instead .CO.ZA or GOV.ZA . What a lovely idea ( commercial domain ??? how about .BIZ ?! ), maybe they can even include "Google Ad Words" to generate some extra cash from international visitors.

Apparently Kestrel Wireless Inc from USA and NXP Semiconductors from Netherlands invented built-in chip for DVD surfaces. In order for DVD to be played chip would have to be de-activated at the till.

Two days ago China's Communist Party Politburo discussed the Internet. ( Is there anything to discuss on that level ? ). Nevertheless, their conclusion was that they have to place The Medium under much tighter controls.

quote: " Development and administration of Internet culture must stick to the direction of socialist advanced culture, adhere to correct propaganda guidance..." said a summary of the meeting read on the news broadcast.

Two month ago Steve Jobs (CEO Apple - remember iPod .. ) called for an end to sales of copy-protected music. Starting in May 2007, Apple's iTunes store will sell almost all of EMI's music online without copy protection - if customers are willing to pay a 30% premium. Therefore you will be able to download some music and share it since it is not going to have any protection.

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Well, here we have it. Microsoft's Xbox 360 spring Dashboard update really will do everything it's been reported to (and then some). Unfortunately, those waiting for a sea change update intended to knock the PS3 on its ass may be a bit disappointed, but here's what you need to know:

• The update hits the beginning of the week of May 7th
• Your contact list will now integrate Windows Live Messenger, and show joinable session status
• Messenger contacts can see what game you're playing, and your gamertag
• Marketplace will now have its own blade, which will be skinned independent of your theme
• Users will now get inline achievement updates (i.e. see what achievement you just unlocked and how much it's worth).
  
• Low-power download mode and auto-shutdown
• Progressive download: watch, fast-forward, and rewind partially downloaded movies
• You can text chat messenger six friends playing games watching movies
• Multiple tweaks on the user interface