The above is a picture of the incredible Phoenix Landing by Nasa this weekend.  It is taken with the MRO Satellite orbiting Mars with the HiRise camera lens.  That is the parachute and tether cords in the picture. Technically, that might be one of the first human spacecraft to ever photograph another human space craft on another planet.  Thats pretty impressive when you think about it.

Very Very Good.  Storyline was not at all what I expected, but very good movie.  Ford fit right back in. 

I will probably post a lot more about it after it has marinated a few weeks (don't want to give away the spoilers, and there are some good ones).

From Free trade Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_trade

Original Def:

Free trade is a market model in which the trade of goods and services between or within countries flows unhindered by government-imposed restrictions. These restrictions may increase costs to goods and services, producers, businesses, and customers, and may include taxes and tariffs, as well as other non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation and quotas.

New Def (Altered by me):

Free trade is a market model in which the trade of goods and services between or within countries consumers and producers* flows unhindered by governmentcompany*-imposed restrictions. These restrictions may increase costs to goods and services, producers, businesses, and customers, and may include taxes and tariffs, and digital rights management* as well as other non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation and quotas.

Coldplay singer Chris Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland called for fairer trade during a visit to the World Trade Organisation summit in Mexico. The WTO meeting in Cancun will discuss how to break down global trade barriers. "Free trade is a great idea. It's just that we in the West do anything but stick to it," said Martin.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3095854.stm

I caught part of American Idol last night from the kitchen making a bottle for my daughter and I heard a new Coldplay song from Viva La Vida (Title Track?). I watched the commercial (available on Apple - lower right ) which is a very cool commercial graphically to what sounds like a great song, but then I saw the end "Exclusively on Itunes" and my heart sank. I don't want to hate on Coldplay, I honestly believe they are one of the best bands of our times (yeah its my opinion), but I couldn't help but think about how they preach Free Trade values and yet decide to go with one single DRM-laden delivery pipe for their new album.  Bummer.

(and yes I know free trade on a global scale is MUCH different than this album release, but the general idea holds in my head)

UPDATE: It seems that it is JUST this single, I think the whole album is going to be available my other NON-DRM sellers.  I think?

UPDATE II:  I do think the commercial is a bit confusing (deceptive/brilliant marketing?), I can't tell if the single "Viva La Vida" is what is exclusive, or the entire album.  I guess time will tell.  I am hoping it is just the former.

music, coldplay, drm, itunes

Aww yeah. 

gow, xbox360