Open Access to Wail on Cherry Axes

So the verdict is in and open-access is sort of the phrase that pays. Whomever wins the 22 MHz of the soon to be auctioned off broadcast spectrum will not only have to allow users to connect with any device or software, but will not be able to slow down the connection speed of competitors. A 10 MHz chunk will also be sold to a non-profit for emergency broadcast usage. In fact it basically seems that other than the wholesale-type commercial leases to third-party providers, Google basically got what they wanted. There is a little grandfathering though, but whatever. All and all, Chairman K-Mart and the Effin' Cool Club did right by America.

rock.
m$

Bizarre Foot Dragging

An update to my previous post There Are no Strings on me.

What? A crazy delay? Didn't see that one coming. S'okay, Kev-o thinks better with a full tummy. Pity he isn't Team Kevin Martin.

rock.
m$

There Are no Strings on me!

What could be a monumental decision in the realm of modern communications will, barring any sort of bizarre foot-dragging, be made by the end of today. To preface, the 700 MHz broadcast frequency (yes, the same frequency that our modern little TV sets use) will soon be going up for auction as broadcasters make the push into HD. Google has promised to make a $4.6 billion bid as long as the FCC makes a few to mandate a few rules in this game (this excerpt and a nice little summary can be found at The Machinist):

1) Firms that win 700 MHz space must let customers download and use any software on the network; 2) they must let customers use any device on the network; 3) they've got to lease wireless space to third-party wireless providers at commercial rates; 4) and they've got to allow their wireless networks to interconnect with other Internet service providers.

The end result of Google (and a few other tech companies/public interest groups) getting their way would be more wireless competition due to increased open-access. Let's just hope FCC Chairman Kevie-bear Martin doesn't fall sway to the Mephistophelian whispers of the The Greenback Gang.

rock.
m$

Peddle Powered Cheat Machines

Here's a thought...why doesn't cycling just make doping mandatory to the point of psychotically morbid and turn each race into a literal survival match; an unnatural selection, if you will. At this point you've got a shorter list of those who aren't cheating. An excerpt from a fun little SI.com article that touches on the recent events.

German rider Patrick Sinkewitz crashed into a spectator then was revealed to have failed a drug test in training before the race began.

Then on Tuesday, star cyclist Alexandre Vinokourov was sent home after testing positive for a banned blood transfusion, and his team pulled out of the race. Wednesday, it happened again when the Cofidis squad confirmed its rider Cristian Moreni of Italy had failed a doping test, prompted the withdrawal of the entire squad.

Wednesday also saw the departure of of Michael Rasmussen, another stage leader, for violating team drug test policies. Of course the other option is to just let Mike "Ookie" Vick, aka Ron Mexico, just deal with the participants that fail to perform.

rock.
m$