http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=547599
Tool Helps Seize Cars of Tax Delinquents
Armed With New Tool That Photographs License Plates, Cities Seize Cars of Tax
Delinquents

photo caption:
Outfitted with a laptop computer and the BootFinder, tow truck driver, Jay
Juliano drives through downtown New Haven, Conn., Thursday, Feb 24, 2005,
scanning license plates to find vehicles with overdue taxes. The BootFinder, a
high speed hand-held camera that scans registrations and checks them against a
database of property tax delinquents, has been in use in New Haven since
September 2004 and has helped the city collect more than a million dollars in
overdue taxes and parking tickets.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. Mar 3, 2005 — Sam Byers heard a commotion outside his house,
but by the time he got to the window his Ford Explorer was gone. City marshals,
armed with a new tool that photographs auto license plates and instantly
matches them against a tax scofflaw database, had towed Byers' car right out of
his driveway.

snip


http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=545978
Robots to Watch Children and Even Co-Workers Among Technology at Microsoft
TechFest

REDMOND, Wash. Mar 2, 2005 — The teddy bear sitting in the corner of the
child's room might look normal, until his head starts following the kid around
using a face recognition program, perhaps also allowing a parent talk to the
child through a special phone, or monitor the child via a camera and wireless
Internet connection.

The plush prototype, on display at Microsoft Corp.'s annual gadget showcase
Wednesday, is one of several ideas researchers have for robots. The idea is to
create a virtual being that can visit the neighboring cubicle for a live
telephone chat even as its owner is traveling thousands of miles away, or let
the plumber into the house while its owner enjoys a pleasant afternoon in the
sun.


Lathe Dementia. Recognized as one of the major sub-strains of the
all-consuming virus, Packratitis. Usual symptoms easily recognized
and normally is contracted for life. Can be very contagious.
michael