You might have guessed that, once Reuters got their foot in the door, all sorts of other riff-raff would be swift to follow them into Second Life. And you’d have been right – Reuter’s first metaverse report announces that the US Congress is starting to investigate the economies of synthetic worlds in earnest. So you may want to option a tax accountant before quitting the day-job for that lucrative career in dragon slaying or virtual tailoring. Apparently some Congressmen are already exploring SL (and Warcraft) of their own accord, so be nice to n00bs – and watch who you chat to! 😉

Just in case you’ve been fast asleep beneath a large internet-proof rock all day, I thought I’d let you know that the Googleplex is going solar. They’re partnering with EI Solutions, and plan to offset 30% of their peak energy consumption with a large array of roof-mounted solar panels. In addition to saving money, they claim it’s their responsibility as corporate citizens – even if that’s hyperbole, it’s a good thing to hear a company say.

Where do you go for the real low-down on astrobiology, astronomy and the physics of spaceflight? I’m not averse to using Wikipedia, but only until I discover a better specialist resource – and one has cropped up, in the form of David Darling’s online encyclopaedias. Over 10,000 entries, updated daily to keep up with the latest research and discoveries, plus articles on sustainable living and alternative energy – that’ll keep me busy for a few weeks.

What’s up with Belgian journalism? I don’t read French or German very well, so I can’t report on its quality or relevence, but they’re either thoroughly ashamed of it or so proud of it that they want to keep it all for themselves. Not content with taking big nasty Google to court for sending them more internet traffic for no extra fee, the little nation’s major media group has sent a stern letter to Microsoft asking to be removed from MSN news searches as well. The issues surrounding aggregation of copyrighted content are complex, of course, but this smacks of a rearguard action, and King Canute still ended up with wet feet.

A Welsh outfit named Swanturbines are flogging at a renewable energy meme that’s been ‘in development’ since long before I was born – tidal power. They’ve got a new super-simple turbine design that they believe will be easier to maintain, as well as more effective at harnessing the abundant energy contained in the UK’s mercurial coastal weather. Inevitably, and just like all the other designs before it, this will get nowhere unless someone decides to throw a lot of money at it – and seeing as the British government are still very sweet on nuclear, that’s going to have to come from the private sector. Paging Mr. Branson; you are needed at the beach.