Vow of Silence

At a remote monastery deep in the woods, the monks followed a rigid vow of silence. This vow could only be broken once a year on Christmas, by one monk, and the monk could speak only one sentence.

One Christmas, Brother Thomas had his turn to speak and said, “I love the delightful mashed potatoes we have every year with the Christmas roast!” Then he sat down. Silence ensued for 365 days.

The next Christmas, Brother Michael got his turn, and said, “I think the mashed potatoes are lumpy and I truly despise them!” Once again, silence ensued for 365 days.

The following Christmas, Brother Paul rose and said, “I am fed up with this constant bickering!”

Sun’s Schwartz Stands by Free Software in Bid to Boost Sales

Feb. 27 (Bloomberg) — Sun Microsystems Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Schwartz, criticized by analysts for giving away the company’s software, defended the plan, saying it will boost sales of server computers needed to operate the programs.

“There was an era that is coming to an end in which a premium was paid for proprietary software,” he said yesterday in a telephone interview. “Free and open solutions were looked at as a bit of a sideshow.”

New MacBook Pro takes a dive on battery life? Well, no

Some conflicting accounts coming out of the Web-o-sphere on Tuesday about Apple’s revamped MacBook Pro laptops. At the heart of the controversy are reports that the new 15- and 17-inch Pro models have taken a nosedive on battery life, despite the inclusion of allegedly power-saving Intel Penryn processors.

Both Ars Technica and Gizmodo pointed out that Apple’s own numbers on how long the battery should last in a 17-inch MacBook Pro have changed with the new models–going from more than 5 hours to only 4.5 hours.

Quebec comedy takes top-grossing Canadian film award

Les trois p’tit cochons, a Quebec comedy about three brothers who reunite during their mother’s illness, has won the Golden Reel Award as the highest-grossing Canadian film of 2007.

The film earned more than $4.6 million in Canada from Jan. 1, 2007, to Dec. 31, more than any other qualifying film.

The Golden Reel Award is given at the Genie Awards, Canada’s film awards, scheduled for March 3 in Toronto.