It’s not so much the sweaters, as the fact that Leslie clearly enjoys wearing them. A lot.

The Mirra Personal Server is a ‘fire and forget’ home backup system. It also doubles up as a remote file server when you’re away from home, using your broadband connection, some clever thin client software and data polling technology. The 80GB Mirra M-80 model is $399.00. Pretty cool stuff if it works as advertised. ‘Connect Mirra to your home network switch or hub using the provided cable, plug it into power, and you’re ready to go. You don’t need to…

The Ferret is proud to announce that he will be launching a music download service sometime around Q3 of this year. The new service – Polecat Potpourri – will feature the best in rockabilly, bluegrass, and assorted UK country music tracks for all ages and tastes. The service has been made possible by the fantastic work of Microsoft and the Loudeye corporation and their ‘customer branded, turnkey solution’ Digital Music Store. Please note that all tracks will be encoded using…

Detouching – ‘Removing the retouching from airbrushed celebs’

I do like the look of these rather elegant Elecom USB 2.0 hubs [Babel] but I fear that they may be a tad impractical in the long run. ..and what I really would like to find is a neat 10 port hub to cope with the gazillion add-ons now littering my desk. Sigh!

Creating Amazing MP3s – Chris Myden’s step by step guide to creating top quality MP3 files. (He also features the rather elitist sounding UberShare Network – ‘These aren’t your father’s MP3s)

It comes to something when a Walt Disney fan club sets up a boycott to oust the company’s CEO, but that appears to be what’s happening at the moment. Spooky!

UFO Evidence – ‘In-depth, quality and scientific research on the UFO phenomenon’

Hmm, just discovered BlogStreet from my referrers list. I’m sure it’s been around a while (too much to do, too little time) but it’s actually quite neat. A sort of blogging toolkit and info source. I especially like the RSS EcoSystem stuff. Funky! Also check out the Blogstreet Browser for more timewasting fun.

Darn, just missed it. A 1:2 scale model of a Star Wars Scout Walker. Only $19,000 on eBay, although the auction just ended with no bidders. Can you imagine giving this to some little Boba Fett fanboy on their birthday? And don’t forget the shipping costs at $1200.00!

…sorry forgot. And a very Happy New Year to all. …and yes I know that my calendar is running one day late. Fixed tomorrow.

An interesting US article suggesting that the traditional multiple track music album may be on its way to oblivion. Sounds plausible. But on the other hand, I had a fascinating conversation the other evening with the very nice David Price, editor of Hi-Fi World magazine, and he was telling me that vinyl albums are actually making a comeback, and not just with club DJs. Apparently trendy yuppie types are buying gorgeous record decks like the Michel Orbe above as status…

Someone’s just opened up an interesting new shop around the corner from Ferret Mansions here in London. Cartridge Solutions offers to refill all your inkjet cartridges for a fraction of the cost of buying new. Personally I see this as more of a ‘key-cutting station kiosk’ type application, but nevertheless I wonder if it will catch on anywhere else? ‘Prices are �9.35 + VAT for a high capacity black refill and �12.76 for a high-capacity colour refill. This covers all…

So let’s see. The EcoMobile is a cross between a motorbike and a car, seats two, gets up to 55mpg but still runs on petrol? And costs around $55,000 for a standard model? Mmm, not convinced. ‘Considering limited production available we reserve the selling of vehicles to buyers in circumstances found suitable by personal contact.’

Hear Muffs – ‘Fleece headwear with internal stereo speakers.’ Of course!