Desperate times create a long line of heroes. A man who reaches out to poor children, provides them with opportunities for learning, using a pushcart; a man who died while saving the lives of his family and neighbors; and journalists who died with the very people whose stories they were covering – they all have provided us with hope and comforting thoughts as we continue to struggle in the squalor and hopelessness brought about by our sorriest situations.

As our ruling classes continue to lord it over us, and steal away everything including our hopes and dreams, these heroes who have come from within our ranks – like you and me, these have been ordinary people – they have shown us possibilities of a better tomorrow. They have shown us ways out of this squalor, out of this misery.

But most of all, they have shown us that no matter who and what we are, we have it within each of us whatever it would take to overcome. It might sound so trite and so “trapo”-like, but, yes, we can.

If and only if we can rise above our selfish interests, if we can start thinking of other people’s welfare before our very own interests.

Yes, there is a hero inside each of us.

Scottish Joking Computer

Yes, we sure could use another funny guy. With all the doomsday scenarios being floated about by some people who could not wait until the world finally meets its end.

That is why this corner finds much comedic relief from the news that scientists from the Aberdeen University for the Science Centre have developed the “Joking Computer.” Designed to demonstrate what computers can do, the computer comes with a software originally developed for “children with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, to help them develop language skills.”

It also enables them to tell jokes that are original, in statistical and computer science points of view.

Some examples of the jokes that this virtual stand-up comedian cracks are:

Q: What kind of temperature is a son?

A: A boy-ling point

Q: What do you call a shout with a window?

A: A computer scream

Well, I guess, you have to be a computer to appreciate the humor.
 
Apple Sues Nokia

Apple, facing a huge patent infringement lawsuit from Nokia, decided to file similar charges against the Finnish mobile phone giant. Apple’s lawsuit, according to media reports, claims that Nokia “copied the iPhone,” and in the process, infringed on 13 of Apple’s patents.

Earlier, Nokia filed charges alleging that Apple infringes on 10 of its patents “covering both phone calls and WiFi access.” Apple, meanwhile, alleges that Nokia’s infringements cover technologies for “connecting a phone to a computer, teleconferencing, menus on touchscreen, and power conservation in chips.”

While some industry analysts foresee a prolonged courtroom battle, most observers agree that the Apple lawsuit is designed to provide the Cupertino-based company with a strong bargaining chip when the two companies finally decide to negotiate. And it seems most likely that  they would sit down and negotiate.

A cross-licensing deal is most likely to emerge from such talks.
That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.