I just came across an interesting analysis of all the copy-protection (not just to protect Windows from being pirated) and DRM features in Windows Vista (for example, inability to watch high definition content if your hardware isn't "Vista certified"). It's not terribly technical, and I strongly suggest you read the full thing, but for the impatient, I offer my "abridged" version below...

We're gonna have an awards ceremony to determine who is worthy of a 'pwnie' for their excellence in 2006. Request categories and nominate n00bs by clicking here.

Voting starts the first week of 2007!

It's no surprise that Microsoft is preparing to launch their version of a music player, dubbed "iPod killer," but officially known as Zune. What's curious, is that Microsoft has signed a revenue sharing contract with Universal Music, where UMG will most likely receive more than $1 for every $250 device Microsoft sells. "These devices are just repositories for stolen music, and they all know it," UMG chairman/CEO Doug Morris says. "So it's time to get paid for it."

Firefox 2.0 is finally out! Yup, you heard it right, now everyone can download a copy of the next version of Firefox. If you're not using Firefox at the moment, please consider downloading the Firefox Google bundle by clicking the link in the top-right corner to support this website.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer team apparently sent a congratulatory cake to Mozilla's Firefox developers' team to commemorate the occasion. Oringial digg.com article link.

The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well:

Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.

One student, however, wrote the following...