Way to Lame Harper Collins

The publisher is now informing libraries that if they buy their e-books, they will be locked and in-accessible after 26 loans (because they state paper books often need to be replaced at that point - 26 loans is about one to one and a half years of use)

The library will have to re-purchase the book to access it again. THE HELL? I've borrowed books from my local library published in 1926. Way to rip off libraries.

Some libraries will no longer be buying books from Harper Collins as a result, which is a shame as some of their authors (such as Neil Gaiman) will lose sales, and a loss for library users as well. There are links in the article to contact the publisher and authors.

http://www.pioneer.lib.ok.us/PLS/111-Press/2423-open-letter-to-harpercollins-a-readers-of-ebooks

thanks copperbadge for link.

Get yourself checked for celiac disease

My spouse found out he had a gluten-intolerance after being mis-diagnosed for 15 years, gluten intolerance is not a lifestyle choice, it's necessary to preserve the ability of your intenstines to absorb nutrients, women are most often mis-diagnosed.

Link to article by Wil Wheaton's mom! (thanks copperbadge for link)

Celiac is the #1 genetic autoimmune disease in the world and remains the most misdiagnosed. It is estimated that 3 million Americans are affected and 97% don’t even know it…yet. There is no cure, no pills, no drug therapies. The “cure” is a Gluten-Free diet. The only disease in the world completely controlled by diet is also: “The #1 Disease You’ve Never Heard Of”.

http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/wwdnbackup/2011/03/and-now-a-word-from-my-mother-about-celiac-disease.html

Last Voyage of Discovery

Very cool shot of International space station, with views of ships from Europe, Russia, Japan as Discovery returns home - AND - farewell message from William Shatner in his role as Cpt. Kirk from Star Trek.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/07/scitech/main20040033.shtml

thanks ashkitty for link!

Depressing but true - How the middleclass in the US became the underclass

http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/16/news/economy/middle_class/

It's nothing new, it began thirty years ago and picked up speed in the last ten.

And people wonder if we need labor unions. (roll eyes)