What sounds worse to you: fingernails dragged across a chalkboard or the incessant honking of a broken car alarm? It is this kind of distinction that Professor Trevor Cox of Manchester's Salford University is studying with his BadVibes site, which solicits votes from the public in "the hunt for the worst sound in the world."
faq The basics and the fine print on Microsoft's options for those eyeing the next operating system from Redmond.
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Business Tech
Week in review: A speedier new FirefoxMozilla's latest version plays catch-up with the browser competition. Also: the latest in Windows 7 news, and a Yahoo data center in a new shade of green.
Gallery
Photos: 'Train warriors, test weapons'
Technically Incorrect
After Wikipedia, JockipediaA new site collates the social-networking activity of sports people, tabulated by name, league, and country.
Beyond Binary
Windows 7 may get a 'Family Pack'Enthusiasts have spotted wording in a leaked test build of the operating system that suggests Microsoft may offer a three-PC deal with the new Windows.
Video
Video: iPhone 3G S launch in New York City
Digital Media
Fun with numbers a boon for StatCounterThe Web-tracking service claims IE market share has dropped off since March, but should we believe the numbers?
Video
A recipe for high-tech chocolate
Geek Gestalt
In Utah desert, Air Force lets the bombs flyAt the massive Utah Test & Training Range, the Air Force 'trains warriors and tests weapons,' running more than 15,000 sorties a year to ensure that bomber pilots are properly trained, and that weapons work the way they should.
The Space Shot
Lunar mapping satellite snaps first test imagesNASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has snapped its first test images, showing the moon's starkly cratered terrain in preparation for the start of mapping operations.
Gallery
Photos: Spiral Jetty, Robert Smithson's wondrous earthwork
Webware
URL shortening is hot--but look before you leapFueled by Twitter's popularity, services to abbreviate Web addresses are taking off. They bring a host of problems, but some are working to fix them.
Green Tech
Best Buy charges into electric vehicles salesThe Enertia electric motorcycle from Brammo is now available at Best Buy which sees a close tie between consume electronics and electric vehicles.
