Saturday May 10, 2008
Latest Columns 
Best of the Blogs
Online Edition: Thursday, May 8, 2008 05:57 AM
The popularity of investment blogging continues to grow. Here are some of our favourites. Who's yours?
AFTER THE GOLD RUSH? THE BLU-RAY RUSH
Published: Thursday, May 8, 2008 12:00 AM Page R3
Jonathan Schwartz of Sun Microsystems is a pretty hip-looking guy for a chief executive officer: He has a long ponytail and often wears jeans and turtlenecks. Standing next to Neil Young at the recent JavaOne software conference, however, Schwartz looked more like a typical stuffed shirt than he ever has, since the legendary rocker was wearing his favourite wardrobe: jeans, running shoes and a denim shirt over a T-shirt. And a baseball cap.
J.K. ROWLING'S LAWSUIT IS 'A CROCK,' VETERAN AUTHOR SAYS
Published: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 12:00 AM Page R3
You've probably heard about the lawsuit launched by J.K. Rowling, the billionaire author of the Harry Potter books, against the author and publisher of a book known as The Harry Potter Lexicon, a compendium of facts from the popular series. The case was heard last month in New York, and a decision is expected soon on whether the Lexicon - which is based on a website of the same name - is in fact copyright infringement.
BANDS KEEP TINKERING WITH THE DOWNLOAD RECIPE
Published: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 12:00 AM Page R3
Not long after Radiohead offered its new album In Rainbows through the band's website for whatever fans wanted to pay, Nine Inch Nails' front man Trent Reznor took a similar approach with a new album he produced by hip-hop artist Saul Williams. The response was relatively lacklustre, however: Fewer than 20 per cent of those who downloaded the tracks paid for them, and from some of the interviews he gave about the experiment, it sounded as though Reznor wasn't all that happy with the way things turned out.
HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
Published: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 12:00 AM Page 20
When it comes to creative ways to make use of the Internet, most of the attention usually focuses on Google, either because of its dominance in online search and advertising, or because of its other Web-based services, such as Gmail and YouTube. Of course, the fact that the company is worth $120 billion or so might have something to do with it as well.
WANT IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY UPDATES? GO TO FACEBOOK
Published: Monday, May 5, 2008 12:00 AM Page R3
Facebook may be mostly fun, but the social networking site has a serious side as well: as a communications tool in emergencies, according to a recent study published in New Scientist magazine.
Head in the clouds
Online Edition: Thursday, May 1, 2008 03:48 PM
The next giant leap in technology is here: selling power and server space like a metered utility. Everyone expected Google to be the first to pull it off, but it's being trounced by an unexpected player: Amazon
WHY 'INTERNET CELEBRITIES' ARE NOTHING TO LAUGH AT
Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 12:00 AM Page R3
If you know who Tron Guy is or what LOLcatz are, or if the name Leeeeroy Jenkins means anything to you, then you need to get out of the house more.
BETTER TO PUBLISH ONLINE, THAN PERISH
Published: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 12:00 AM Page R2
Over the past couple of years, as the American newspaper industry has watched advertising rates and subscription rates dwindle, there have been a number of predictions that a ''major'' newspaper would eventually cease print publication and move exclusively to the Web.
HOW MANY TRUE FANS DOES AN ARTIST NEED TO SURVIVE?
Published: Monday, April 28, 2008 12:00 AM Page R4
The traditional record industry is in upheaval, as CD sales slide and illegal downloading continues to climb. Some artists, such as Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, have been able to make money by taking their music directly to their fans. But can connecting with their fans directly replace the traditional record label model?
