I have to thank reader Stewart for writing in and challenging yesterday’s statement that most people in the world can’t vote. Out of the people of average voting age, it is probably not true. The CIA World Factbook page on Suffrage only lists five countries with no voting rights. But Stewart and I agreed that even if there were a tally of the voting population, the end number would still be open to the questions of how many truly have free will when voting and how many votes are thrown away for convenience. Maybe democracy still comes out ahead. Maybe what works best for most of the population (democracy or not) comes out ahead, which would be OK too. One interesting concept I noticed from the Factbook is that there are countries where voting is compulsory. I’d hate to think that some of these laws have roots in evil enforcements (vote for us or else!), but it’s an interesting idea. It probably isn’t a good idea for the U.S. however. That Devo song said it well: “Freedom of choice is what you got. Freedom from choice is what you want.”

Written by Val Henson for The Linux Documentation Project, but useful for anyone working in the computer industry, HOWTO Encourage Women in Linux explains the difficulties faced by the female members of the Linux community and details do’s and don’ts for encouraging their involvement. Come to think of it, you could apply most of the content to any business and male-dominated hobbyist community. (thanks Pavel)

U.S. citizens: Vote today. Most people in the world can’t. Voting Facts: Only Maine and Vermont have no voting rights restrictions for convicted felons. Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming allow election day registration. North Dakota is the only state without any form of voter registration. (source National Conference of State Legislatures)

The NY Times Food Diary entry that you’ve all been waiting for has arrived at last. Well, maybe it was just me waiting for it. Amanda Hesser finally writes about her wedding to Tad Friend. The food, by Dan Barber of Blue Hill, included tomatoes filled with eggplant and anchovies, hamachi, lobster, and plum coupe. She doesn’t mention a cake, but she does describe her dress: “little cap sleeves”, “pink silk chiffon”. Sounds as yummy as the food. (Saute Wednesday has a list of links to all the Food Diary entries.)

A letter writing campaign may be in order. Gateway is ditching its rustic Holstein cow spots in favor of a sleeker high-tech image. Their new logo features a symmetrical spot, “designed to evoke ‘cow’ without saying ‘cow'”, and a “G” designed to look like an “on” switch. Gone are the barnyard accoutrements, replaced by images that convey “sleek, silver, high-tech competence”. It’s a brand overhaul that removes any cute or homespun feelings that may have been detrimental to their business and government customers. Dell needed the opposite effect when they went after the home market with “Steven” (aka Mr. “Dude, you’re gettin’ a Dell”). But they weren’t abandoning such a well-established trademark as the Gateway cow look. While Gateway claims to be retaining the “essence” of the cow, their ad agency doesn’t want people to even think “cow” when they see the new logo. Seeing a stack of Gateway boxes will never be the same. Moo! Bring back the cow!

Here’s an update to an update. I dreamed of a dockable purse that would recharge all my devices. A reader emailed me about the Splashpower wireless charging system, due out next year. Now Steve’s pointed me to MobileWise’s Wire-Free Electricity Base. The NY Times describes its technology as follows: The nubs are contact points that intersect with a discreet conductive patch on the back of compatible products (or for older devices, with an adapter). […] The trick lies in some patent-pending technology that allows the base to communicate with compatible devices and deliver power only to the nubs that are in contact with a suitable receptor.” Forget the purse, I want this for my Itty Bitty Booklite.

Popular Science asked user interface guru, Jef Raskin, to test drive the BMW 745i, and, more importantly, the car’s iDrive unit. As you may recall, the iDrive knob is BMW’s answer to consolidating 35 gauges and lights and 66 manual controls. Raskin’s main complaint is that the iDrive interface has too many modes. With 700 functions to accomodate, the simple knob is manipulated the same way for many different behaviors. And if you’re driving there’s minimal feedback possible to assist you. Perhaps the real problem is the need for the 700 functions to begin with. iDrive’s interface designer reveals the reality that haunts all software developers and interface designers: “Marketers are features-driven people.” Sure the designers wanted to keep things simple, but “if our marketing department says we need it, we design it in.” It’s a good thing that most people value their lives over changing the car radio station. Raskin pulled over every time he was asked to demonstrate a feature. (Bonus link: the BMW M3’s Easter Egg. Fun with electronic transmissions. I wonder what sequence will bring up the programmer credits?)

Sometimes just a few tips can vastly improve your skills. Derrick Story’s Top Ten Digital Photography Tips are going to go a long way on my next foray with the Digital Elph. But first I think I need a portable tripod. (via xBlog)

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” pulled a 5.8 share on ABC last week. Not bad for a show that first aired in 1967. If you’re in the mood for celebratory popcorn and toast, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” will air on November 21. I have to admit, though, that it’s still a little odd to be turning to ABC for Charlie Brown instead of CBS.

Were you a fan of “Late Night with David Letterman”? Have you lost hope of ever seeing vintage “Late Night” again, beyond what you still have stashed away in your pile of scratch VCR tapes? Did you think NBC would never let go of the rights after Dave dumped them when they gave Leno the Carson spot? Well, despair not. Cable network newcomer Trio has purchased rights to a batch of the old original “Daves” and adding them to their 2003 prime-time lineup. But to whet (or perhaps deaden) your appetite, they are showing 53 hours of “Late Night” starting early Thanksgiving Day. Fifty-three hours. That’s a lot of lovely beverages, Chris Elliott, Larry ‘Bud’ Melman, and toast on a stick.