The lunch box - 07/12/09

It’s summer time! But, since you’re in the office, pass the time until the weekend and the beach with some refreshing news pieces.

Channel news

• It’s been a busy year, with ups and downs coming from all directions. In this photo slide show, we look at some of the most prominent – and controversial – people in IT.
• The NBN continues to steam ahead. This time, integrator, Nextgen, has won a $250 million contract to roll out the cables to parts of rural Australia.
• Ingram Micro chief, Jay Miley, talks about his first 12 months in the role and looks to 2010.

State of the market

• After a bright opening, markets slipped on the back of major tumble in the gold price. At close of trading, the S&P/ASX200 was down 25.7 points at 4676.5.
• The Aussie dollar was up fractionally at $US0.9160. Gold prices fell more than 4 per cent and nearly $US50 to $US1169.0 an ounce while oil prices were slightly down to $US76.1 a barrel.

General news

• Flying high: Virgin Galactic readie maiden suborbital [price - only $US200,00 a seat
• Technology: Gov 2.0 unveils draft report
• Apple: Buys 'MP3-killer' music streaming site
• Fightback: Turnbull blasts Abbott's ETS 'bullshit'
• Poll:Abbott gamble pays off for Libs
• Climate change: UN calls for bigger carbon cut targets
• Emails: 'Climatehack like Watergate'
• Jodee Rich: Packer was an 'evil father'
• Business: Low global rates may increase risk of new bubbles
• Internet TV: The next challenge for viewers
• Banking:Westpac reshuffles senior management
• Rat risotto: Celebs to face court

Sport

• Swimming: Olympic medallist claims sex abuse
• Umpire walks: Video review claims first scalp
• 2nd Test: Windies take game to Australians
• Football: Cahill strikes late as Everton snatch draw with Spurs
• Hockey: Epic fightback from Kookaburras secures perfect 10
• Golf:Scott breaks home duck with Open win
• Golf (2): Big pay day for Allenby
• World Cup 2010: Socceroos take high road in big game safari
• Rugby league: Bird signs with Gold Coast Titans
• Rugby union: Cooper charged with burglary

Entertainment

• Rock and roll's worst day: 40 years after Altamont
• Homebake: The ultimate homebrew
• Film: Disney waives historical wand
• Street Warriors: Ridgy-didge rappers connect with their culture
• We are not amused: Queen plans crackdown on paparazzi
• Travel: Qantas raises the bar
• Seasonal celebrations: World's biggest Christmas tree
• <i>Pet Shop Boys </i>:Cover Coldplay and Madness

For the evening:

• Paranormal activity looks really, really creepy, and Empire says it’s good, so perhaps horror fans have Christmas coming early this year.

Tomorrow's weather:

• Sydney: Chance shower/afternoon thunderstorm. Min: 21, Max: 35
• Melbourne: Rain clearing. Min: 14, Max: 18
• Brisbane: Fine. Min: 22, Max: 33
• Perth: Mostly sunny. Min: 13, Max: 28
• Adelaide: Morning shower. Min: 15, Max: 20
• Hobart: Mainly fine. Min: 08, Max: 16
• Canberra: Windy. Afternoon shower/thunderstorm. Min: 14, Max: 32
• Darwin: Afternoon gusty storm. Min: 26, Max: 33

Product Wars: Best IT invention Results so far... 1st - Google - 75% 2nd - Netspace - 63% 3rd - Apple iPhone - 60% =4th - Apple iPods - 58% =4rd - Nintendo Gameboy - 58%

Don't forget to click here to vote for your favourite!