BuzzBites: Dirty, Dirty Mouse; Predicting the Internet's Future

Dirty, Dirty Mouse

The average desk has 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat, according to a University of Arizona microbiologist. That disturbing fact is the central selling point of a new self-cleaning mouse designed to rid itself of viruses, antibodies and algae.

The mouse's outer shell includes a coating of titanium oxide and silver nanoparticles that can, according to manufacturer IOGear, "prevent or deactivate bacteria with 99 percent efficiency."

Besides the germ-phobic, IOGear is marketing its bacteria-fighting peripheral to libraries, schools and other locations with publicly available computers. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to wash my hands. And my laptop. --Andrew Conry-Murray, [email protected]

Predicting the Internet's Future

Addicts of virtual worlds and anti-Internet terrorists are just a few of the things the Internet will bring to us by the year 2020.According to a survey of 742 technology leaders and commentators by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 52 percent of respondents agreed that in the future, Internet-based virtual reality worlds will lead to "serious addition problems for many." Meantime, 58 percent of respondents agreed that people left behind by technology (including those who opt out by choice) will form a new cultural group, and that some members of those groups will commit acts of violence or terror "to protest against technology."

Assuming your mouse isn't too filthy to touch, you can find the survey at pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Future_of_ Internet_2006.pdf. --Andrew Conry-Murray, [email protected]