| Adobe and Microsoft Release Competiting Rich Media Products
Over the weekend, both Microsoft and Adobe came out with competing media player products - Microsoft launched Silverlight, a direct competitor to Adobe's Flash, while Adobe released Adobe Media Player, an alternative to Microsoft's Windows Media Player. Microsoft calls Silverlight, "a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web." It'll run on both Mac and Windows, within Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari. Silverlight will scale media from mobile-quality to full-screen high-definition, and is fully integrated with Windows Media technologies. The Adobe Media Player, meanwhile, "will let users subscribe to and play video podcasts published with RSS (Really Simple Syndication).
Somak Holidays launches “Business Class” safaris
From 1st June 2007 holiday-makers will be able to book a safari holiday in one of 15 brand new, business class calibre, premier safari microbus created by Somak Holidays, exclusively for its clients. The premier safaris are currently available on Somak's Kenyan holidays only, with plans to extend the concept to include Tanzania in the near future.
The revolutionary new safari microbuses have just four seats instead of the usual six, creating almost twice as much leg room and a superior view from which to enjoy the stunning scenery and spot the wildlife.
Whilst exploring the wilds of Africa on the hunt for the ‘Big Five', premier safari guests will be treated to complimentary water and soft drinks, cold towels and an authentic African carving as a gift on departure, all from just £100 per person.
Mum and girl killed by elephant
A BRITISH mum and daughter were killed by a rampaging elephant on safari in Zimbabwe, it emerged last night. The tourists were charged by a bull while walking with an armed guide in 10,000-square mile Hwange National Park on Saturday. The guide, 38-year-old local Andy Trevillia, fired at the massive beast but was knocked over by it and seriously injured. The father of the British family is thought to have escaped injury but was too distraught to speak last night. Officials in the countrys second city Bulawayo said the elephant was unusually aggressive because it was sexually active. They were also looking into whether the party had been too close to it for safety. Assistant police chief Edmore Veterai said: We are investigating to see if there was an act of negligence. Barry Wolhuter, who runs the safari company The Hide, which hosted the tourists, called the attack horrendous.
The Third Chimpanzee : The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal
Jared Diamond states the theme of his book up-front: "How the human species changed, within a short time, from just another species of big mammal to a world conqueror; and how we acquired the capacity to reverse all that progress overnight." The Third Chimpanzee is, in many ways, a prequel to Diamond's prize-winning Guns, Germs, and Steel. While Guns examines "the fates of human societies," this work surveys the longer sweep of human evolution, from our origin as just another chimpanzee a few million years ago. Diamond writes:It's obvious that humans are unlike all animals. It's also obvious that we're a species of big mammal down to the minutest details of our anatomy and our molecules. That contradiction is the most fascinating feature of the human species. The chapters in The Third Chimpanzee on the oddities of human reproductive biology were later expanded in Why Is Sex Fun? Here, they're linked to Diamond's views of human psychology and history.
Katto’s pace scares Pearl organisers
EMMA Kattos pace at the recent KCB Safari rally has forced Pearl of Africa Uganda organisers to ignore continental rankings when compiling the start list.
The Ugandan rally ace is at basement of the Africa rally championship table but will start fourth this weekend on account of his pace.
Katto was seeded 16th in the Safari but finished the first leg five seconds behind the leaders, forcing organisers to apologise for the misjudgment.
Katto is a very quick driver, we had to move him ahead on safety grounds. We wouldnt want him to be slowed down by dust, Pearl media officer Dusman Okee explained.
World Junior Rally Champion Rautenbach of Zimbabwe will be flagged off first at Kampala Serena Hotel. Reigning Ugandan champion Ronald Ssebuguzi is eighth.
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