Ink

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Reading Google Chrome's Fine Print

Much ink and many electrons are being spilled over Google's Chrome browser (discussed here twice in recent days): from deep backgrounders to performance benchmarks to its vulnerability to a carpet-bombing flaw. The latest angle to be explored is Chrome's end-user license agreement. It does not look consumer-friendly. "By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any content which you submit, post or display on or through, the services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the services and may be revoked for certain services as defined in the additional terms of those services."Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Wired.com Readers' Best Geek Tattoos

: From DNA to 80 digits (and counting) of pi, Wired.com readers take their geek tattoos pretty seriously. We asked you to flash your decorated flesh, and you obliged with pictures of some pretty wild skin art. Now it's time for the rest of the world to bask in your dermatological commitment to geekery. Click through the gallery to see more ink inspired by science, computers and other geek obsessions. Left: Ctrl+Alt+Del Submitted by Shahar Photographer's comment: "Comes to show it's that easy to reboot and start over.? : The Other Half of Rock Submitted by Aaron Sarazan Photographer's comment: "My brother and I got matching tattoos. He has a Guitar, with binary that says 'Rock' -- I've got a D20 with 'Roll.'? : Extra-Large DNA Submitted by Brandon Photographer's comment: "Seven years I've been working on this. Phase 1 is complete." : Geek 4 Life Submitted by Christopher Holmok Photographer's comment: "I am a GEEK 4 LIFE, SUCKA!!!" : Pi Tattoo Submitted by Drew Photographer's comment: "Since tattoos were illegal in Oklahoma until only a couple of years ago, my friends and I made a tradition out of annual road trips for tattoos. Every time I can't think of something new, I add some more digits to pi. It's up to 80 digits." : No More Hunting for Tape Measures Submitted by Dave Selden Photographer's comment: "As a woodworker-graphic designer, I use a tape measure or ruler almost every day. Now I have one always within arm's reach. I use it for my work, but also my play. I measured some trout for length with it on a fishing trip to Mount Hood this weekend." : Louder! Submitted by Ben Casey Photographer's comment: "I always wanted a musical tattoo, and the audio-out icon on my 266-Mhz G3 seemed more appropriate than a G clef.? : Bassoon Keywork on My Leg Submitted by Matthew S. Photographer's comment: "I was a bassoon major in college, and still play as a hobby. This gets a lot of interest, and many wrong guesses. The only people who have correctly identified it as a bassoon have all been players themselves. John at The Chameleon in Cambridge, Massachusetts, did a fantastic job on the artwork." : Seattle, Third Avenue, 2004 Submitted by mooargyle Photographer's comment: "Taken with Nikkormat FT2 (film)."

Calligraphic manga featuring famous samurai Musashi

Musashi Miyamoto is the famous 17th century samurai who wrote The Book of Five Rings, a classic text on martial arts and military strategy. Takehiko Inoue is the genius manga artist behind Slam Dunk, a 90s manga series about a goofy basketball player that sold 100 million copies and got an entire generation of Japanese boys hooked on the sport. Inoue's latest endeavor has been to chronicle the life of Musashi in a comic book series titled Vagabond. Instead of using a pencil, he used sumi ink and a calligraphy brush (no erasing mistakes!). The first volume of the manga series was published in English by Viz Media last year, and this month they're publishing The Water and The Sumi, two giant volumes chock full of illustrations from the series. It's a fine collection worth owning if you're a fan of samurai or manga, or both. Image copyrighted by I.T. Planning, Inc, 2008. ( Lisa Katayama is a guest blogger.)...

More Sniping Between Archrivals British Airways and Virgin Atlantic

Plenty of people cried foul when British Airways announced a deal to coordinate scheduling and marketing with American Airlines, but the biggest whiner was Richard Branson. The loudmouthed head of Virgin Atlantic called his archrival's proposal a "monster monopoly," launching a war of words between the two airlines that makes the presidential campaign look downright civil. The deal, which includes Spanish carrier Iberia, is the airlines' second attempt to get cozy selling tickets on each others flights, pooling revenue on selected routes and combining their scheduling and marketing efforts. It's a bit like a merger but without the messy paperwork. It's also a bad idea because it will give the two airlines a dominant share of the market for key transatlantic routes, allowing them to raise fares.  Branson spouted off against the deal the day it was announced, prompting Willy Walsh, the CEO of British Airways, to say hearing Branson gripe was like "listening to a broken record." Virgin fired back with a press release headlined "British Airways should know about broken records ? nothing's changed since they last failed to link up with American Airlines." These two make McCain and Obama look like best buds, and the latest spat is another chapter in the often brutal, always entertaining 17-year hatefest between the UK's two largest airlines.The sniping started in 1991 when the British government, hoping to keep Virgin Atlantic from tumbling into bankruptcy, lifted a 1970s-era rule limiting access to London's giant Heathrow airport. British Airways was none too happy to find itself suddenly competing with Virgin on some of its most lucrative business routes. The airline's CEO, always a bit of a drama queen, complained that the government's move amounted to "confiscation of property." Wah, wah, wah. That started a two-year throw-down between the two airlines that the British press -- always known for its restraint -- coined the "Dirty Tricks" campaign. Eager to ruin Virgin before it could make inroads at Heathrow, British Airways allegedly hacked Virgin's computers, used confidential data to poach customers and employees and hired a PR flack to spread nasty rumors about Virgin to tarnish its reputation with financiers and the public. Branson went on the offense, complaining to anyone with a pulse that British Airways wasn't playing fair. British Airways called him a desperate publicity whore. When an unflattering investigative report about British Airways aired on British television, the airline accused Virgin of planting the story and said as much in an internal employee newsletter. Branson, never one to miss a chance to get some ink, sued British Airways for libel. Back and forth it went, like a game of corporate ping-pong. At the end of the day, British Airways lost the case, apologized to Branson "unreservedly" and wrote a him a big check. Branson, of course, summoned the press to say he'd divided the money among employees in what he called the "British Airways Bonus." The whole sordid tale was recounted eight years ago in the book Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic. Mutual dislike aside, the two airlines aren't above getting into bed together when it suits their bottom lines. In 2006 the two companies were found to colluding in a price-fixing scheme on some transatlantic routes. Virgin got off without a fine, but British Airways had to pay out £271 million. But they're back at it again, providing the British press and air industry watchers with another round of laughs. It's always fun watching outrageously rich guys behave like children. Photo: Virgin Atlantic.