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Unfortunately there is a problem with science known as the knowledge problem. Philosopher and historian of science Steven Goldman points this out very clearly with (roughly) the following:
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If we have a theory that predicts that outcome Y follows directly from event X, and we note in reality (once or several times) that Y follows X, we wrongfully conclude that X necessarily leads to Y.

For example, If I consistently wake up before my alarm clock goes off (because my internal clock works well), I wrongfully conclude that waking up causes my alarm clock to go off.
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Theories and facts are in different classes. Theories do not become facts after people accept them. The "Theory of Relativity" is still a theory. Theories explain facts.

However, I must point out that since the discovery of molecular information, information theory has been applied to evolution by random mutation and natural selection brilliantly by Perry S. Marshall at http://www.cosmicfingerprints.com/atheists_riddle.htm

Don't believe that cells have information? Believe Professor Stephen Nowicki, Duke: 'Starting with the theme of "Information and Evolution" (Lectures 1-24), you investigate how information about the structure and organization of living things is found in the DNA molecule, how this information is transmitted and modified, and the implications of these processes for understanding life.' ( http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=1500 )

DNA contains an encoding decoding system. Our bodies contain about 1GB of information. Evolution by natural selection acting on genetic variation caused by mutation and sexual reproduction does amazing things. It helps organisms adapt to their environment, it allows diversity of species and it adds diversity within a species. These are fairly well accepted parts of evolutionary theory.

Molecules to man evolution is having a tough time currently. Mathematics (information theory) shows that cellular operating systems (encoding decoding systems) do not arise through natural processes.

Of course they still try. There is a one million dollar prize for the discovery of a natural mechanism (no reason to believe it exists, but whatever): http://www.us.net/life/

As Perry Marshall says: "No one has punched a hole in this argument."

Oh, there is also a quarter of a million dollars up for proof that we should act on global warming: http://ultimateglobalwarmingchallenge.com/

So far there are only comical entries to that challenge.

The DoD has decided that it's going to be switching over to IPv6 by 2008. This is a big enough organization that 2008 is the outside date for the start of the major shift to IPv6. The idea of switching over on one day isn't going to fly because it really isn't necessary. You can tunnel and otherwise interoperate the two IP versions so nobody's going to go through the hassle of a massive cutover.

The French ruling is similar to Helms-Burton Act where companies or individuals who trade in Cuban expropriated property outside of the United States are not allowed into the United States. Similarly, the French government is saying that a company that facilitates the trading of nazi memorabilia outside of it's country cannot exist in it's own country.

The judgement from the U.S. judge means nothing. If France wants to throw the French division of Yahoo out of the country, there is little it can do. If the french government fines Yahoo, then they either have to pay or pull out of France. All the U.S. ruling said is that if they pull out, France can't get them to legally pay the fines.

The Enigma Machine wasn't developed until the '30s.

Interesting OT side note concerning the Zimmerman Telegram, some feel that it is tied into the historical British support for a Jewish homeland, leading to the formation of Israel at the expense of the Palestinians. Valid or not, I don't know, but this is definately stuff I wasn't taught in school.

The BBC article was kinda light on details . . . care to give more in-depth info about the Enigma Machine?

The Engima story is quite interesting and complex; volumes can and have been written about it and it's beyond the scope of a Slashdot post to relay the full history. But I've provided some links if you're curious.

It should be noted that Bletchley Park's work in deciphering the Enigma codes - used by the Germans to direct operations including U-boat attacks on Allied convoys - proved vital to the outcome of the WWII.

Bletchley Park, code-named Station X, employed teams of mathematicians, linguists and chess champions during the war.

By the end of 1945, 10,000 people worked there.

With the help of decoding machines, the army of experts were able to crack the German code Enigma, which Berlin believed to be unbreakable.

The work carried out at the top-secret centre is believed to have shortened the war by several years and was kept secret until 1967.

The stolen device, an Abwehr Enigma G312, is a rare four-rotor version, one of only three still known to be in existence.

The BBC article was kinda light on details . . . care to give more in-depth info about the Enigma Machine?

The Engima story is quite interesting and complex; volumes can and have been written about it and it's beyond the scope of a Slashdot post to relay the full history. But I've provided some links if you're curious.

It should be noted that Bletchley Park's work in deciphering the Enigma codes - used by the Germans to direct operations including U-boat attacks on Allied convoys - proved vital to the outcome of the WWII.

Bletchley Park, code-named Station X, employed teams of mathematicians, linguists and chess champions during the war.

By the end of 1945, 10,000 people worked there.

With the help of decoding machines, the army of experts were able to crack the German code Enigma, which Berlin believed to be unbreakable.

The work carried out at the top-secret centre is believed to have shortened the war by several years and was kept secret until 1967.

The stolen device, an Abwehr Enigma G312, is a rare four-rotor version, one of only three still known to be in existence.

Drugs may not be made out of metal, but they still have detectors for them! These are the same systems used for detection of explosives. The detector you walk through uses backscatter from X-rays to fingerprint chemicals. These detectors are already installed at a number of major airports, although their current cost precludes them from being used everywhere.

http://www.us.net/signal/Archive/Aug97/detection-a ug.html

> Is this actually true? References? As far as
> I've heard, the rotor configuration was
> parametrable, and indeed changed regularily.

The Enigma did use keys, which was starting position of the n number of rotors. Various Engima models had different numbers of rotors.

Furthermore there is the wiring of the plugboard in the front.

See German Enigma Cipher Machine and Frode's Crypto Page more details about the Engima including simulators.

ooo i've downloaded this porno quake patch the other day
and i've been shooting mah manhood gun and been cumming like crazy
my opponent must have been cowboy neal...
he must have picked up my cum...
oh wait that was sexy jenny mccarthy who posted this story!! (i've been shooting it well that other nite)
i should have stopped doing this thing now that it has becum such a bad habit of mine... (cumming while playing quake)
the whole world knows that how good i am now..
aww man!!
jenny! enuf is enuf~! no more hot grits for you!!

(here's a picture of me doing it for those who are interested)

-- "no hot grits for you, cum back one year"
Seinfeld (Grits-Nazi)