This is a very interesting read. It’s basically the behind the scenes story of what it was like in the time leading up to, and throughout the Zotob outbreak.

Silicone oil and boric acid. Did you know that? Want to know more? Like what is in Cheez Whiz, or Spandex, or MSG….. find out all about it here.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve bought a comic book. I have a pretty decent stash of them all stored away. A while ago I stumbled on an article about some of the artists from Pixar making and selling their own comic books. One that looked interesting to me was Rose and Isabel. They didn’t have any around here locally, so I bought it on line right from the artist. That turned out to be a pretty good deal because I got a thank you note and my book signed. The current Rose and Isabel book that is available is book one of two. It basically sets up the story, gives you some background, and starts the main characters on their path. The story seems pretty basic, nothing amazing, but definitely entertaining. The art, like you would expect is awesome. If you like comics, I would recommend it. I’ll be buying book #2.

You know the blog seems like a great idea and all, but I seem to never find time to post anything. Maybe it’s just the summer time. I don’t know. We had family visiting for the past week, so that took up most of my time there.

While I was out, it looks like Microsoft released Virtual Earth. I see lots of cheering and lots of complaining out there on the internet. Count me under the cheering tally, I guess. I like it. I think it’s interesting. It seems to do pretty well for the stuff I want to use it for. I think the number one feature for me though, is the zooming. It just seems right. That’s how I think a map application should zoom.

I’ve seen a lot of complaining about how Virtual Earth’s maps are out of date and they suck compared to Google Maps. “For a multi-billion dollar company, you would think Microsoft could have bought some newer maps!” To hear some people talk, you would think that Microsoft had it’s own satellites floating in orbit taking all the pictures.

Actually both systems’ have map data that is newer and older than the other. I was looking for some maps for Ft. Stevens and the mouth of the Columbia River. Virtual Earth’s maps had way better resolution. When I look at my house, Virtual Earth has the more recent picture. When I look at some places that I lived in Georgia though, Google’s maps are clearly better.

Now if you were a user of NASA’s Word Wind application, you might notice that two of the different map sources in that application seem to sync up with what you see in Virtual Earth and Google Maps. It looks to me like Virtual Earth is using USGS Digital Ortho, while Google is using Landsat7.

But I’m just guessing.