• NASA Mars Lander sees falling snow, soil data suggest liquid past [NASA] Snow detected and evidence of past interaction between minerals and water on Mars.
• Four years [43 Folders] Merlin Mann’s site “about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work” is four years old.
• The 25 most influential people on the web [BusinessWeek] The 2008 list compiled by BusinessWeek readers and staff.
• Time Out at 40 - Covers archive [Time Out] A selection from the distinctive covers of London’s listing magazine.

The second clutch of local meetings bringing together WordPress publishers, designers and developers in the UK have been organised:

• London - Wednesday 17 September 2008 at the One Tun, Goodge Street.
• North - Friday 19 September 2008 at Old BH, Leeds.

Could all those attending or interested indicate on the linked Upcoming pages (registration required).

WordPress UK local groups are one of a number of initiatives to build a strengthened WordPress community emerging from WordCamp UK 2008 held at Birmingham in July.

• Google Chrome why? [Tom Scott] Why have Google built their own browser and how does it relate to Firefox?
• Mozilla Ubiquity [Dan Brickley] A look at the Mozilla Labs experimental Firefox extension.
• Radio Pop - social radio listening [BBC Radio Labs] Background to their Radio Pop experimental prototype site.
• 10 principles of the PHP masters [NETTUTS] “The best principles to follow for high-grade PHP programming” according to the site.

• Stately decline [Media Guardian] and the associated PDA post Kingswood Warren: The end of an era gives the background to BBC Kingswood Warren faces strike.
• Intel unites the internet with TV [BBC News] Intel and Yahoo work towards a Widget Channel, or as Yahoo calls it the Cinematic Internet.
• iPlayer goes for higher bitrates, Olympic Gold and home theaters? [NewTeeVee] Is the BBC looking at a new generation of devices offering internet experiences alongside video content?
• Celebrating a stereo pioneer: Alan Blumlein [BBC News] His contributions to audio engineering, television and radar were amazing - some of his early stereo recordings have been restored.

• Ofcom Communications Market Report: rapid changes in media consumption habits, but much remains the same [Media Guardian] Ofcom’s 365 page 2008 report digested.
• Taking the shine off: Why blog publishing ‘failed’ in the UK (or at least didn’t create a $30m exit) [TechCrunch UK] Guardian PDA responds with is there any money in UK blogging?
• Why blogs need to be social [GigaOM] Blog = digital life aggregator.
• Putting our hot heads together [A List Apart] How can we transform discussion forums and comment sections from shooting ranges into arenas of collaboration?

• New Number10 site goes live [Puffbox] Powered by WordPress!
• Time Out at 40 [Observer] London’s ground-breaking listings magazine is forty, its covers have always distinctive; some background from ex-Editor Dominic Wells.
• Phoenix discovery may be bad for Mars life [New Scientist Space Blog] Has perchlorate, a highly oxidising substance, been found, or is it connected with rocket fuel?
• Obituary: Sir Bill Cotton [Guardian]

Last Tuesday went to the estimable Great British Beer Festival 2008 at Earls Court.

As usual, there was an excellent selection of beers from across the UK, but I did notice that on the geographically-based bars, there were some slightly strange decisions on which beers appeared in which area.

For instance, when did Stockport (home of Robinsons) and Moss Side (home of Hydes) become part of the Peak District?

The first two local gatherings of WordPress publishers, designers and developers in the UK have been organised:

• London - Wednesday 13 August 2008 at the One Tun, Goodge Street.
• North - Friday 15 August 2008 at Old BH, Leeds.

Could all those attending or interested indicate on the above linked Upcoming pages (registration required).

It’s planned these meetings will be held on a regular basis, bringing together everyone involved in using and developing WordPress.

WordPress UK local groups are one of a number of initiatives to build a strengthened WordPress community emerging from WordCamp UK 2008 held at Birmingham in July.

It shouldn’t take much more than 10 minutes to complete - I did it in less!

Last year there were nearly 33,000 responses, and this year’s findings will be reported as they were in 2007.

The more who participate in the survey, the better the results will be.

So, all of you involved in building websites, go to the survey now!

Update Saturday 16 August 2008 at 0746: The survey closes Tuesday 26 August 2008.

Blimey - this year’s Great British Beer Festival almost passed under my radar!

Luckily, our old friend Upcoming brought it to my attention.

With so many beers available in the aircraft hanger environment of the main Earls Court hall, my advice is to drink in half pints in order to partake a good sample of ales.

I’ll be there this Tuesday evening with Thursday being a distinct possibility.

Drop me a line if you’re thinking of going…