fact that people

Google got a lot of attention recently for the launch of Google Flu Trends, which looks at aggregate data on searches related to the flu, to see if it can act as something of an early warning system for where there are flu problems.

It's an interesting use of the data, and it will be worth watching what else can be done with this sort of data over time.

However, Ed Felten raises an interesting question: can Google Flu Trends be manipulated?

There are all sorts of annoyances associated with mobile phones, but apparently the biggest one remains the fact that people talking on mobile phones seem so prone to do so loudly, greatly disturbing those around them.

A recent study found that loud mobile phone talkers were considered a bigger nuisance than things like answering a phone at the dinner table or having a really annoying ringtone.

Megan McArdle sings the praises of Amazon's digital media strategy, noting that she can now get her music, movies, TV shows, and books all from one company and have them all neatly organized and made available to her.

Amazon's digital store is convenient because it remembers which content she's purchased and allows her to re-download any of it on demand from anywhere.

There are a bunch of headlines today about the fact that people will give up their passwords in exchange for some chocolate, but most of the reports seem to be missing the point.

Similar studies have been conducted for years. Four years ago, we saw an almost identical study.

Since when is Lou Reed an audiophile?