“Microsoft’s biggest underlying fear is that it will become like IBM—a company that still has a strong business but no longer sets computing standards.” The Economist does a nice analysis of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows XP launch and proprietary strategies. With Xbox they are staking a claim into controlling the platform of home entertainment. No slouches in looking forward since the Internet nearly wrestled the web from them (remember when everyone used Netscape?), Microsoft is poised to control it all with .NET. It’s doubtful that Apple’s mysterious Tuesday announcement will take any wind out of Bill’s sales, errr I mean sails.

I just discovered New Scientist’s Q&A; section which included a description of the similarity between tapping the top of a soda can and burping babies (only they called it “winding babies” ’cause I guess that’s Brit-speak… I was stuck for a minute with the mental image of someone winding a baby up with a large key).

I bring you news from the mall: The Holiday Shopping Season has begun. Even the carols on the sound system. But don’t despair, there’s still plenty of Halloween stuff left for those of you who blinked and missed it.

FindSounds.com is a search engine for sound effects and sample sound files on the web. You can even do a “sounds like” search. What possibilities! (via Kestrel’s Nest)

From my favorite feature at not martha, “i troll martha stewart so you don’t have to”, here is the amazing, do-it-yourself Cat Hammock. It’s made out of a carpet sample. But you know what, I just don’t have anywhere to hang a cat hammock, so my kitty will just have to make do with all her other many many many many MANY resting places.

Employees of American and United Airlines are running a flag from Boston to Los Angeles, representing the original flight path of American Flight 11 and United Flight 175. It departed from Logan Airport on October 11 and is scheduled to arrive at LAX on November 11.

The server is still flaky. My email was down all Thursday. Sorry if you got bouncies.

The Association of Food Journalists has reprinted articles from their 2001 award winners. I discovered an interesting report on the difficulties of booking a table at popular Bay Area restaurants such as the much lauded French Laundry in Napa Valley. Tips on getting a table are included, but it appears that gentle persistence and a speed dial are the only way to go unless you are a friend of someone who works there.

I had heard that you should not feed babies honey because it may contain botulism. But I wasn’t sure if that meant just raw honey or all honey and things made with honey. I found the exact question and answer I needed on WebMD. I love it when I find exactly what I need on the ‘net. Of course that means I’m less likely to run into other interesting information as I gather up research, but it does save time. Oh, and if you’re short on time: the answer is “no honey at all”. Botulism spores grow best without oxygen and can survive high temperatures.

More colored condiments? I don’t think I’ll be buying any pink or blue margarine when it comes out no matter how much I like pink. And I really don’t think it’s a good idea to encourage kids to eat more of those evil trans-fats.