QUICKIES

Another reason for extending lifespans? Preventing deaths would be a boon to the US economy A recent study found that reducing the US death rate from cancer by just one percent would be worth $500 billion to the economy over the long haul. Cure death? About $50 trillion.

That’s because when people live longer, they typically work longer, and that productivity contributes to the national wealth. The study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adapted from WIRED

The laws on tapping into other peoples Wi-Fi nodes vary from vague to non-existent. Technically, federal law, and the law in most states makes it illegal to access a computer system "without authorization." Of the few people who’ve been charged with mooching Wi-Fi, none have gone to trial. A more fundamental question is whether it’s ethical to use someone’s open signal. General opinion is that as long as you don’t disturb anything, you’re OK. It’s akin to looking at the pictures in your seat mates magazine on an plane flight. You’re not really taking anything from them.

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IBM Corp. said that it is collaborating with electronics retailer Circuit City Stores Inc. to open a big-box outlet in the virtual world, Second Life. IBM said the prototype store is part of a bigger complex Big Blue plans to open in the virtual world. The store contains replicas of real-life Circuit City products. People can direct their avatars, or in-game characters, to walk down the aisles, pick up and examine items, and order online for home delivery.

The two companies are also working on virtual customer service and a place for shoppers to recreate their real-world living rooms, then test different TV sizes and sound system setups. According to Second Life's Web site, about 2 million people have signed up, and about 227,250 visit daily. AP