Talk of the day
By Times Staff Writer
Published October 31, 2007
Internet access tax ban given an extension
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to bar states from levying taxes on Internet access through 2014, clearing the way for President George W. Bush to sign the measure into law before an existing ban expires Nov. 1. The unanimous House vote Tuesday resolved a dispute with the Senate, which last week called for the longest-ever Internet-tax ban by passing the seven-year moratorium. The House voted Oct. 16 to prohibit the taxes for four years. Since 1998, a federal law has prohibited cities and states from taxing most forms of Internet access.
MIT refines the 'optical tweezers'
Taking up the sci-fi staple of "tractor beams," scientists have developed a way to use light to grab and move minuscule particles on a microchip. The research could lead to fine-grained biological sensors and other precisely built nanoscale devices. The work by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers could extend the possibilities for "optical tweezers" - super-focused beams of light that have been used for years to study and manipulate tiny biological structures or even individual atoms. What's new in the optical tweezer from MIT's Matt Lang and David Appleyard is the use of infrared light. Infrared does not bounce off the silicon used as the basis for microchips. That means that MIT's optical tweezer can be used not just for study but to build structures on the surface of chips.
Leopard leapingoff the shelves
Apple Inc. sold more than 2-million copies of its Leopard software in the first weekend on sale, outpacing early orders for the prior version of its Macintosh computer operating system. Leopard, released Friday, includes features for organizing and sharing files and software that lets Mac users run Microsoft Corp.'s rival Windows operating system.
Underwearmaker, Disney link up
Looking to keep growing its Hanes and Champion brands, Hanesbrands Inc. said Tuesday it has signed a wide-ranging marketing deal with The Walt Disney Co. that includes product co-branding, attraction sponsorships and signage at Disney parks and resorts. The 10-year deal is estimated to be worth "tens of millions of dollars," and is the largest marketing alliance for the T-shirt, bra and underwear maker, Hanesbrands officials said. All basic apparel sold by Disney at its parks and resorts, and at the company's ESPN Zone restaurants, will now be from the Hanes and Champion lines. Under the agreement, basic apparel includes T-shirts and tanks and fleece sweat shirts, sweat pants, hoodies and other garments, including infant and toddler items.
Weather radio mandate passes
New manufactured homes would be required to come equipped with weather radios to warn occupants of severe storms under legislation that passed the House on Tuesday. Sponsors said the measure would help prevent deaths from tornadoes that disproportionately occur in manufactured housing, including mobile homes. The bill would require builders to install National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radios capable of picking up broadcasts from the National Weather Service. Such broadcasts provide storm warnings and watches 24 hours a day. The bill has not passed the Senate.