New XML Office standard gets Irish approval

A major online business software standard developed largely by Microsoft and seeking International Standards Organisation (ISO) approval has been given the thumbs up by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) via a new fast-track ballot process.

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Oh lord, a CHAVtastic Wedding!

I dunno if I would laugh or cry if I was there!

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Great job but how we geting home?

Watch the Helsinki Bus System Live

Using GPS and Google Maps the Helsnki bus system can be seen operating live. This should be implemented everywhere.



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O'Reilly Admits US Wrong to Invade Iraq

Taken from Bill O'Reilly's trip to Trinity College Dublin where he spoke to the Philosophical Society. What a fool, first he has the audacity to say all Irish are Republicans and then he goes on to insult everyone from the UN to the French. If he is so great why isn’t he running for Congress?

Story Taken from Irish Times

O'Reilly a major factor for Trinity students

Controversial American broadcaster Bill O'Reilly addressed students at Trinity College Dublin last night, telling them that "confrontation gets to the truth" and that the Irish should consider themselves Republicans - in the American political sense, at least.

The Fox News presenter also amused some, though not all, of the students with his mocking impersonation of the French.

His television show, The O'Reilly Factor , is the most-watched cable news show in the US and Mr O'Reilly's most recent book, Culture Warrior , is a New York Times bestseller. Often accused of bullying guests and pushing a conservative agenda, he has previously called for a boycott of French products, and told the son of a 9/11 victim to "shut up" after he spoke against the "war on terror".

Mr O'Reilly's arrival received a mixed greeting. While some students stood as they applauded, others jeered. This was followed by sporadic heckling during his speech, to the university's philosophical society.

Having told the students that he almost attended Trinity but "wasn't smart enough", he turned to world affairs. He complained that the European press was partly to blame for America's reputation abroad, and said that while there are many people who hold the opinion that the US is a bad influence, his is that "the United States is a noble nation".

"It has 300 million citizens. And if some people want to sneak in every time we turn our back, it must be good," he said. He added that "they're not kicking down the door to get into the Soviet Union. I mean Russia."

He argued that there is currently a battle between "traditionalists" and "secular progressives" in his home country, and that he stood on the side of the former.

"My people came from Cavan when they were starving to death. They came over to America and made it. And all that goes into my philosophy."

Taking written questions, Mr O'Reilly criticised the UN, saying that "all these people do is go out for lunch".

Of the International Criminal Court, he joked: "It takes four years to try Milosevic, and he drops dead of boredom."

Asked about the Republican Party's political philosophy, he said: "Everyone here in Ireland is a Republican . . . That's working pretty well for you."

Mr O'Reilly admitted that he was wrong in his support for the invasion of Iraq, but said that he did not believe that the US and British administrations deliberately deceived the public over intelligence on weapons of mass destruction.

However, he insisted that it was still important to trust the American administration. To laughter and applause from some students, he asked: "What's my alternative? France?"

Indie labels combine to form a "virtual fifth major"

Independent music labels from around the world joined forces this week to create a virtual record label that can compete with the Big Four, and they've already signed a deal with SNOCAP to sell music on MySpace.

Great idea, it's a pity they're using MySpace to flog their wares, for a couple of reasons:

1. Do people that aren't kids use MySpace?
2. Are people using MySpace not just Mtv heads, who listen to the mainstream? This really limits their audience.
3. MySpace is a visual mess and as far as I am concerned doesn't encourage new users or older users, a la iTunes.
4. MySpace is domiated by American users and is not as popular around Europe, again limiting thier audience.

Alhtough with this bargaining power they could try and set up their own online store, or convince Apple/Napster/HMV etc to sell their music DRM free on their online stores. Wit the first being way more likely and an option I would prefer.

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