Lunar Eclipse 2008 February 20, 2008
Posted by gaussling in Astronomy and Aerospace, Science.2 comments
The eclipsed moon finally made itself visible only minutes from totality this evening. Through the gauzy haze the lopsided apparition loomed in the eastern sky. We pointed the 18 ” telescope at it, but with its narrow field of view we could only gaze at part of the moon at a time. With the haze and the low contrast, only washed out moonscape was visible. An eclipsed moon is best witnessed with the naked eye or from binoculars.
We found Mars and Saturn in open patches of the sky. Saturn was sharper than I’ve seen it in while. The rings and planet in sharp relief against the black velvet background. Titan and a few other moons were to be seen as well.
A line of visitors queue around the dome and down the stairs to see the planets and M42, the Great Nebula of Orion. We’re lucky this evening. The clouds parted and the wondrous sky was made visible.
IBM, Thy Patent Portfolio Runneth Over February 20, 2008
Posted by gaussling in Business, IP, Intellectual Property, Patents.1 comment so far
IBM people are prodigous inventors. In 2007 alone, IBM was allowed 3,125 US patents. In the period from 1993 through 2007, IBM has acquired 38,707 US patents. I can visualize the torrents of office actions flooding out of some pipe from the USPTO into the mailroom at IBM Galactic Headquarters.
Imagine trying to enforce this collection of patents. Crimony! With this many patents- and who knows how few are abandoned- IBM must be involved in litigation almost continuously. Imagine the legions of confident, white-shirted IBM attorneys marching in lockstep, “Think!” banners streaming in the breeze! It would be fascinating to see how they make these patents actually result in cash flow. Who knows, IBM may have the biggest patent picket fence in the universe?!
