Anti-piracy law protests

Wikipedia and several other major websites, blacked out their sites in protest against two bills being put to the United States House of Representatives. Known by their acronyms SOP (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) the US is trying to impose their laws across the world. The need for these arose after so many websites made it easy to access and download copyright material in the music and film world. But like other laws designed to police the Internet, small and innocent sites have no redress in a court of law. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=138

Directory update

LearnSmart has been added to our Consultant and Supplier Directory. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=137

Great apes calculate the odds

Great apes weigh their chances of success, based on what they know and the likelihood of success when guessing, according to a study of MPI researcher Daniel Haun, published on December 21 in the online journal PLoS ONE. The findings may provide insight into human decision-making as well. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=135

Old brains can beat young brains

Since physical abilities decline as people age, many people think the elderly are also less able to perform mental gymnastics as they age. New research indicates this might not be true with all brain-powered tasks: In some ways the elderly are fit to compete with their younger counterparts. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=133

Contacting Apple

Does anyone know how to contact Apple by email because I am finding it particularly frustrating that I am unable to get email responses from Apple support? It seems incredible to me that a technically advanced company insists on me using the old-fashioned telephone - my least favourite form of communication. When I sent an email to Apple support, I received an automated reply that made it quite clear that I was not going to get a response unless I phoned them and that they would charge me for the privilege after my warranty runs out. I have also given Apple feedback via their website several times and have never had any kind of response from them. Although I like Apple hardware very much, they are going to have to improve their customer communication if I am going to be a long term customer with them. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=134

The Illustrated Guide to a PhD

Every year Matt Might (www.matt.might.net) explains what a PhD is to a new bunch of students. It's hard to describe in words so he uses pictures... More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=132

Schools fail slow-start pupils

Data shows that three-quarters of children in England who make a slow start in the 3Rs at primary school fail to catch up by the time they leave. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=131

3.8m UK children do not own a book

The number of children who do not own a book is increasing. Seven years ago 1 child in 10 did not have a book of their own while today the figure stands at a startling 1 child in 3. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=130

Printers can be hacked

Two researchers at Columbia University in New York say they've found a flaw in ordinary office printers that lets hackers hijack the devices to spy on users, spread malware and even force them to overheat to the point of catching fire. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=128

University applications down

UK universities appear to be facing a slump in applications ahead of the first year of higher fees, says the university admissions body. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=128

Education Quote

Education is a succession of eye-openers each involving the repudiation of some previously held belief - George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=127

Universities pay to attract students

Universities will pay cash incentives of up to £3000 to bright sixth formers to compete for high-quality students. More: http://www.mwls.com/news.php?n=126