Yet another pen computer bytes the dust. Sony’s Slimtop Pen Tablet was more of a touchscreen device than a pen computer, but it tried to break the mold, yet again. Artists and children may have enjoyed the setup, but it does not really offer much more than getting a tablet peripheral, except that you get to draw directly to the screen. Even then, your hand can get in the way. Microsoft is pushing a tablet paradigm again, so we shall see what comes next in the chain of pen computing failures.

Around the time of my wedding, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt filed suit against the jewelry designer who made their custom wedding rings, which Brad reportedly designed. The designer apparently sold the same designs, which were supposed to be one-offs, to other people and used the couple’s names without permission to boost sales. I suppose if I thought I had a unique custom designed wedding band and then it was sold to other people, I’d be miffed. And if someone was using me for advertising without paying me, that would be wrong. But a $50 million federal lawsuit seemed to be an overreaction. However, it did serve to illustrate how seriously they were taking it. And it worked. They have reached a decision everyone can be happy with. Damiani International will stop selling the rings, Pitt will design a line of jewelry for them (!!), and Aniston will be featured in their international advertising campaign. Everyone wins. And you can be sure the celebrity couple will be making a pretty penny from their new assignments. Perhaps not $50 million, but their payment is certainly not merely the privilege of keeping their wedding bands unique. (Though other manufacturers are sure to create knock-offs.)

Diner City is a fun visit with photos of diners from most of the states. There is background info on diner manufacturers (most weren’t just old railroad cars, despite their looks), a list of diners for sale, and some bonus pages of roadside icons linked towards the bottom of the main page. The first diner I remember eating in, the Silver Star in Norwalk, Connecticut, is not pictured, but I’m pretty sure it still exists. (via Larkfarm)

I have switched to Windows XP on my home computer and my eyes are already begging to switch back to Classic mode. Although the watery blue seems soothing, it is a strain on my vision, even though I have my monitor refresh cranked up to 100 Hertz. High contrast text is better than pretty text.

I have seen wind-up radios and flashlights, but I was surprised to read about a wind-up cellphone charger. From a maker of self-sufficient energy products, the FreeCharge is a collaboration with Motorola. I am hoping other cell phone manufacturers will follow suit. It may not be as convenient as plugging your phone into a socket somewhere, but it could be a lifesaver out in the wilds (or the sidewalks and malls of the urban jungle).

I haven’t used it much, but Find Articles looks like it could be a good filtered resource for topic searches. It is “a specialized search engine designed to help you quickly and easily find published articles on the topics that interest you. Our database has hundreds of thousands of articles from more than 300 magazines and journals, dating back to 1998. FindArticles even brings some print-only publications to the Web for the first time.” (via Follow Me Here)

Le Sportsac bags were a fashion godsend for me in the 1980s. While most trends (Bermuda bags, designer jeans, Laura Ashley, and Gunne Sax) were beyond my means, Le Sportsac bags, made of ripstop nylon, were almost unseemingly affordable. I could nab a bag, though perhaps in last season’s colors, on sale for $15-$20. Now, the bags are back in vogue with collectible prints and sequins. They are something “fun” and “whimsical” for fashion mavens to buy in quantity. As for me, I’ve gone back to good quality leather, and I intend to stay there.

The Passenger Services Act of 1886, established to help the U.S. shipping industry, has outlived its intended purpose. Cruise ships with foreign registries that take on passengers in the U.S. must stop in a foreign country before returning them to the U.S. In order to fly a U.S. flag, a ship must have been built in the U.S. The industry the Act was designed to protect no longer exists. This law is the reason why most Alaskan cruises originate or at least stop in Vancouver B.C. And it is probably also why practically no cruises start in San Francisco. Legislation has been introduced to amend the law, but it has been slow going. The current downturn in tourism may help give some attention to the proposed changes. Meanwhile, in order to attract passengers unwilling to fly to Vancouver, Princess Cruises has added a 10-day Alaskan cruise from San Francisco to their 2002 itinerary and Crystal Cruises is continuing to sail under the Golden Gate. 7-day cruises to Alaska (without the necessary Vancouver stopover) and direct cruises to Hawaii could be next, legislation permitting.

Dell Computer’s surfer dude guy is helping them win the battle against Gateway. “I would chose a Dell over a Gateway because Steven is cuter than Gateway’s cow,” says a 17-year-old female student. Hey, cows are cute too! While actor Benjamin Curtis is certainly pleased to be the focus of the successful ad campaign, he doesn’t want to suffer the typecasting that still plagues Keanu Reeves. And as “Dude, you’re gettin’ a Dell!” becomes the latest slang for “You rock!” Gateway really should find a new marketing hook that conjures up more than peaceful mooing. Got Gateway? Hmm, no, that’s not it. (via Obscure Store)

Continuing on the condiment theme, here is The Condiment Packet Museum. Ketchup, mustard, relish, attention to details, it’s all there except for sugar. (via /usr/bin/girl)