Slashdot Mirror

They cover different methods of locating the cell phone, including tower triangulation and such, others cover TCP/IP from cell phones, and other cover various ways of doing geolookups. However, none of them combine the two ideas in this fashion

DEC PageLink, a proposal for a portable computer, 1989. The patent draft featured real time geolocation based data retrieval:

"The twin screens could be also driven by real time software, rather than relying on user input. Thus, the unit could be left open in a car, and receive fax/mail messages there (like a carphone). However, it could also interface to the new generation of automatic car navigation equipment. By dialling up an appropriate number, the machine could either download map pages for the area the user is in, or it could provide up to the minute reports of traffic congestion - sounding a warning if there was one in the area.

I'm sorry, but writing this off as "bad patent" will do nothing by hurt any claims that the system is broken.

On the contrary, if this is a "good patent", then the patent system is obviously broken. I really hope that Apple does succeed in getting every device that combines geolocation and data services removed from the market. If successful companies making popular products like Garmin, TomTom etc. start being shut down then politicians will be screaming for patent reform.

Public taxis are subsidized by the Her Majesty's Government. A taxi ride in London costs two pounds, no matter how far you travel. If a taxi driver tries to overcharge you, you should yell "I think not, you charlatan!", then grab the nearest policeman (bobby) and have the driver disciplined.

It is rarely necessary to take a taxi, though, since bus drivers are required to make detours at patrons' requests. Just board any bus, pay your fare of thruppence (the heavy gold-colored coins are "pence"), and state your destination clearly to the driver, e.g.: "Please take me to the British Library." A driver will frequently try to have a bit of harmless fun by pretending he doesn't go to your requested destination. Ignore him, as he is only teasing the American tourist (little does he know you're not so ignorant!).

For those travelling on a shoestring budget, the London Tube may be the most economical way to get about, especially if you are a woman. Chivalry is alive and well in Britain, and ladies still travel for free on the Tube. Simply take some tokens from the baskets at the base of the escalators or on the platforms; you will find one near any of the state-sponsored Tube musicians. Once on the platform, though, beware! Approaching trains sometimes disturb the large Gappe bats that roost in the tunnels. The Gappes were smuggled into London in the early 19th century by French saboteurs and have proved impossible to exterminate. The announcement "Mind the Gappe!" is a signal that you should grab your hair and look towards the ceiling. Very few people have ever been killed by Gappes, though, and they are considered only a minor drawback to an otherwise excellent means of transportation.

I can't take credit for this advice, source

Read this story, and regain your Friday cheer: http://www.siliconglen.com/jokes/tandemstory.html

-Rick

Will they make it public like they did with the windows 98 source?

http://www.siliconglen.com/jokes/windows.html

Up here in Scotland, we have our own paper money. Although its legal throughout the UK, a lot of english shopkeeps will give you funny looks if you give them a scottish fiver.

Where to start?

"Up here in Scotland, we have our own paper money."
Yes, you do. Because all Scottish banks have the right to print their own money.

"Although its legal throughout the UK, a lot of english shopkeeps will give you funny looks if you give them a scottish fiver."
Actually, Scottish notes are not legal tender in the UK, although they can be used as money (there is a significant legal distinction).

See http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/1_7.html

Coins are legal tender (with limitations on amounts for some values of coin).

from silicon glen

Scottish bank notes are not legal tender in Scotland. English bank notes of denomination less than 5UKP were legal tender in Scotland under Currency and Bank Notes Act 1954. Now, with the removal of BoE 1UKP notes, only coins constitute legal tender in Scotland. English bank notes are only legal tender in England, Wales, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. In Scotland, 1 pound coins are legal tender to any amount, 20ps and 50ps are legal tender up to 10 pounds; 10p and 5ps to 5 pounds and 2p and 1p coins are legal tender to 20p (separately or in combination). 2 pounds coins and (if you can get hold of one) 5 pound coins are also legal tender to unlimited amounts, as are gold coins of the realm at face value (in Scotland at least).

and

The lack of a true legal tender in Scotland does not cause a problem for Scots Law which is flexible enough to get round this apparent legal nonsense, as was demonstrated some time ago when one local authority tried to refuse a cash payment (in Scottish notes) on the grounds it wasn't "legal tender", but lost their case when the sheriff effectively said that they were obliged to accept anything which was commonly accepted as "money", and that should their insistence on "legal tender" have been supported, it would have resulted in the bill being paid entirely in coins, which would have been a nonsense; stopping short of saying that the council would have been "cutting off their nose to spite their face", but seeming to hint at it.

Even better picts...