links for 2010-05-12

"Is it possible to make money by being happily hopeful about very serious things and visualising information with smiling faces? I reckon so."

"The agency wants to know if the industry has the technology to create a system for monitoring high-volume wireless, text, and data usage, instead of sending customers massive bills for unintentional usage."

You bet they do.

"These plugs for labor-saving devices, often unintentionally hilarious, got us wondering. Are any of them actually useful? At 3 a.m., bleary and weary of watching poker tournaments and reruns, we decided to find out. We called 1-800-IMA-SCKR and ordered some frequently advertised gadgets. Then we tested them, in the clear and rational light of day. Here is what we found."