Skill Zone News issue 84
UK retailers have shamelessly imported the US pre-Christmas sale tradition of Black Friday. Major websites and networks creaked under the strain of the shopping frenzy, but scenes at High Street shops proved uglier. That's the Christmas spirit for you. Peace on earth and goodwill to all men... but not if you get to the bargains first.
18th December 2014
Back to the desktop
A year ago the industry was predicting the death of the desktop computer market. One year on, desktop computers seem to be making a resurgence.
Knocking out the knock offs
Each year in the run-up to Christmas, there is an upsurge in websites selling fake designer label goods to unsuspecting shoppers. This year, the world's police forces took pre-emptive action and have this month shut down 292 domains used by counterfeiters.
Doormat carpet bombing
What weighs fifteen pounds and sprawls out in the hallway? No, it isn't a seriously overweight cat which has just scoffed the Christmas Turkey. It is one year's worth of domestic junk mail to one house, in one road, in one city.
Quantum 20:20 vision
Oxford University researchers are planning to build the largest quantum computer ever made, and expect to have it up and running in five years, making the UK a world-leader in quantum computing technology.
Small Planet
Douglas Adams invented the Babel Fish to allow his aliens to talk to each other in The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Farscape had translator microbes whilst Star Trek had a never seen but ever present "Universal Translator" to explain why everyone everywhere in our galaxy conveniently speaks English.