When Microsoft moved Visual Basic from its version-6 roots to the new world of .NET in 2002, it endowed the language with a level of power and flexibility never before seen in a BASIC variant. But that move also brought a competitor on to the scene: C#. This new language-on-the-block is a formidable rival, especially [...]

Several months ago, Google announced that its mapping system would provide directions for not only cars, but for trains and community bus systems as well. Apparently, they’ve also added certain forms of watercraft. Click here for Google Maps’ directions from Seattle to Honolulu. But be careful: they forgot to add the instruction for donning your [...]

A popular trend in recent years has been the introduction of the “family” restroom in public places such as airports and shopping malls. These single-stall units provide a place where a tired mother can change her baby’s diaper in private, or where an adult child can assist his elderly parent in a relaxed atmosphere. Despite [...]

The upcoming version of Visual Basic, formerly code-named “Orcas,” will be chock full of new technological breakthroughs and productivity features, but one standard feature will be absent. The commenting feature has been stricken from the final release of Visual Basic 2008. This commenting feature allowed you to insert descriptive content alongside source code by starting [...]

Our Founding Fathers, some of whom weren’t really fathers at all, nonetheless were able to design a great nation with only their brains and quill pens. And a big part of what makes that nation great is the checks and balances they put in place for and among the three branches of government: the Executive [...]

Americans have access to the best health care system on earth. The various parts within this system work together seamlessly: the doctors diagnose diseases; the pharmacies dispense health-restoring medicines; and the medical insurance companies complete the circle by making you sick. This last role is essential, since a nation of healthy, vibrant people could plunge [...]