vista == copland...

It is funny how Microsoft follows Apple, even in their mistakes. Microsoft has long been accused (rightfully IMHO) of copying Apple's innovation, but now it seems that have copied their folly. Remember when Apple in approximately 1994 realized that they needed a "next generation" operating system. They started the copland project. One delay after another created doubt that Apple could do it. And it fact, they gave up and bought Next in 1996. Next evolved into Mac OSX, and now Apple is on the verge of major market share increases. So if you replace the names, Apple to Microsoft, copland to vista, why isn't this the same story again? But who is Microsoft's savior? There is no Steve out in the wings with a operating system just waiting to be adopted, or is there?

hydrogen...

Would it not be easy (ok relatively easy) to convert old nuclear powered naval ships from their original mission to hydrogen production? You have a reactor which produces possibly 100 Mw of power. This can be converted to electricity for electrolysis of sea water. The hydrogen could then be transported inland for use, and voila, lots of cheap hydrogen. This would follow the "if you build it, they will come" principle. Suddenly demand for hydrogen would appear. Probably first thing would be conversion of natural gas electrical generation plants to hydrogen. An odd and inefficient cycle really, nuke to electricity, electricity to hydrogen, hydrogen to electricity... but it serves to prevent you from having a nuke in your backyard.

xslt/plsql/javascript/java...

I write software. I do it based upon software architecture that I also developed. It involves the use of Java, XML/XSLT, PL/SQL, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. It is a very simple construct that is based upon the model/view/controller design pattern. I think that everyone should do it this way of course, but I can't get much traction. The people it "IT" want to use their Java upon Java upon Java approach. The people looking for something new and different are finding the Ruby on Rails bandwagon appealing.