KDE or Gnome? Some advice for those new to Linux

KDE or Gnome? This is the killer question that can be quite difficult to answer and there appears to be very little information available on the first couple of pages of search engine results for the new Linux user. Which one is faster? Which is more stable? Which one looks better? [...]

Toronto introduces first ’scramble’ crossings to improve pedestrian safety

TORONTO — Pedestrians and drivers in Toronto will have to get used to a new traffic term: the scramble.
Thursday was the first day for the city’s new all-stop crossing at the busy downtown intersection of Yonge and Dundas streets.
The system allows pedestrians to cross normally as well as diagonally through the intersection while traffic is [...]

Putin Accuses U.S. Over Georgia

By Nabi Abdullaev / Staff Writer
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the United States of orchestrating the military conflict in Georgia in order to boost the chances of a U.S. presidential candidate.
In an interview that was to air on CNN late Thursday, Putin said Washington had encouraged Tbilisi to attack South Ossetia to give [...]

Bill Clinton forcefully endorses Obama at DNC

Former President Clinton forcefully endorsed Barack Obama’s bid for the White House on Wednesday, telling delegates to the Democratic convention that Obama is “ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world.”
Clinton pushed back on attacks — initiated by himself and his wife during the bitter primary campaign, and later taken up by [...]

Does Psystar have a legit argument in Apple countersuit?

Somewhere in the news coverage of Psystar’s countersuit against Apple today, I was reminded of the car analogy I use to help friends and family understand how to buy a computer.
Under the hood of a car, everything is the same. There’s an engine, transmission, battery and some spark plus, belts and hoses. It doesn’t matter [...]

English only for the LPGA? Imagine the Olympics for the few?

Jan Stephenson knew what she was about to say was going to get her in trouble. So the former star of women’s golf did not just say it, she went blazing into the minefield of a looming political debate with the bombshell declaration that “the Asians are killing our tour.”
read more | digg story

LPGA and accusations of racism – what were they thinking? Just have the best players, play! Unless they want an English only club?

LPGA seems to have created public relations mess
Mark Herrmann
August 27, 2008
It is hard to say which ideal gets trampled more by the LPGA’s new speak-English-or-you’re-out policy, the spirit of golf or the spirit of America. Either way, the women’s professional golf tour has turned a no-win situation into a big loss.
A little hint that this [...]

PM cancels Jean’s Beijing trip, fuelling election hype

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has asked Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean not to attend the Paralympic Games in Beijing, in a move further suggesting Harper will pull the plug on his current minority government and trigger a federal election.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced late Tuesday that Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley will represent Canada in Jean’s place [...]

Dion says Harper about to break his promise on fixed elections

TORONTO — Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says he is perfectly prepared to meet with what he calls a “panicking” prime minister before Parliament is scheduled to resume on Sept. 15.
But Dion says Stephen Harper has no intention of holding serious talks with the opposition parties about the minority Conservative government’s fall agenda.
Dion says Harper’s officials [...]

Toronto Transit gives the middle finger to commuters

Months after a strike that left tens of thousands stranded in the middle of the night, the Toronto Transit Commission decides it wants to cut out perks for customers who have been lining the commission’s pockets for years.
read more | digg story

Toronto transit looks to reopen streetcar bidding

TORONTO, Aug 26 (Reuters) – Toronto’s transit authority said on Tuesday it will recommend to its commissioners that it enter into a new bidding process with three major light rail manufacturers to replace the city’s aging streetcar fleet after the initial process was scrapped last month.
The Toronto Transit Commission said that it will propose starting [...]

Snap election all but certain: Harper

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper portrayed a snap election as a virtual certainty Tuesday morning and hinted it will likely be triggered next week.
read more | digg story

TTC streetcar deal to Alstom?

By Christina Blizzard
It’s a contract worth $3 billion in tax dollars and thousands of jobs for the provincial economy. The TTC’s bid to buy 204 low-floor streetcars is the largest public transit contract in the world right now. Yet it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that the way it’s been negotiated is more like a [...]