Free WiFi on Gold Line?

A plan to offer WiFi on the Los Angeles Gold Line has been proposed. If approved it will offer WiFi access to the Internet along the train's entire route.

There would be two tiers of service: one level of fast, free Wi-Fi access, and a better level of faster access for a small fee. The Wi-Fi radios would create wireless hotspots all along the Gold Line route, both stationary and traveling. Gold Line stations would also be linked.

via Curbed LA and LAist

Matt Flannery of Kiva.org

Our guest on January 27 was Matt Flannery, CEO and Co-Founder of Kiva.org, which connects lenders with entrepreneurs from communities in developing countries. By working with existing microfinance institutions in situ Kiva uses technology to provide a personal link between lender and business.

- Listen to the Interview -

Hubble Survey Camera Goes Dark

NASA is saying the Hubble Telescope's advanced survey camera has short circuited and gone out "probably for good". The next scheduled visit to the telescope will have five spacewalks during which another, wide field, camera will be replaced. But it doesn't look like there will be enough time and money to replace the ACS, which entered "safemode" last Saturday.

Robert Anton Wilson (RIP)

Robert Anton Wilson has died.

via BoingBoing

Transmitters Found in Canadian Coins

Small transmitters have been found in Canadian coins carried by at least three U.S. contractors who have visited Canada. The existence of the coins was revealed in a report from the U.S. Defense Security Service entitled Technology Collection Trends in the U.S. Defense Industry.

"On at least three separate occasions between October 2005 and January 2006, cleared defence contractors' employees travelling through Canada have discovered radio frequency transmitters embedded in Canadian coins placed on their persons," the report says.

via /.

Disney Supporting Torture of Minorities?!?

Lots of attention is being focused on Disney for reportedly forcing the shutdown of a web site critical of a KSFO broadcaster who is accused of calling for the the torture and killing of minorities and liberal politicians, such as Nancy Pelosi. Disney says it's a copyright issue, since the web site posted audio of the pro-torture rants. In response, the original poster is calling for a letter writing campaign to advertisers.

To: Wendy Clark, VP-advertising, AT&T

Dear Ms. Clark:

Thanks to radio hosts from KSFO your brand is being associated with torturing and killing people. Would your marketing people be happy to hear your commercial ran after Lee Rogers said this about a black man in Lincoln, Nebraska?

via BoingBoing