Running late. Massive cost overruns.

And never an answer as to why.

Sensible people asked why Victoria didn’t simply implement a proven system similar to London’s Oyster Card or Hong Kong’s Octopus card. Both are far cheaper, off-the-shelf and proven solutions that cater to volumes far in excess of what Victoria has in the foreseeable future - and do so at an much cheaper price.

Well now itsNbits has an exclusive insight: Victoria’s State Government is attempting to roll out a world-first technology, and is so desperate to success that cost and time are somewhat secondary considerations.

The planned system will enable public transport users to travel on trains, trams and buses without the need to swipe their Myki card. The card can stay in the user’s wallet or handbag, and the card readers will still be able to read the cards. All the user has to do is walk between or near the reading devices.

No need to fumble in your wallet to find the card. No pulling out cards and holding them near card readers.

Simply walk on through, and, in what is alleged to be a world first, the system will locate and identify your card, and bill you appropriately using the cheapest applicable fare. God knows where else they might stick readers to unknowingly track people, just like the silent (no beep) channel on E-tags used to track cars at various points around Melbourne they also tend to forget to tell us about.

At least some Mykis will offer an anonymous purchase option.

And that attempt to roll out a world first, ladies and gentlemen, is the key to the reason why there seems to be an insane cost-and-time-is-no-option logic being applied by the Victorian State Government. They have gone so far and it’s cost so much, that its likely they desperately need the glory of a world first to justify it all. And if they fail, then they pretty much have to admit that they spent an unnecessary fortune on a system equal to or potentially worse than any other similar system in the world.

Personally, I’d rather we get a $1B refund to the state coffers, spend $100M or so on a proven solution, and in return simply have to hold our Oyster card near a reading device. We could have done that several years ago. On time. On budget.

Instead they have wasted hundreds of millions of state money, have a solution that’s potentially still a fair way off before full and successful implementation, is likely to have significantly higher upkeep costs due to it being so heavily customised, and all so there are some bragging rights about not having to take your card out of your pocket.

World Youth Day - Sydney, Australia. 18 July 2008

In this shocking photo (see below), the Dark Lord himself can be seen, undertaking his secret campaign to dominate World Youth Day.

It is not known if the Pope and Darth Vader threw down and whipped out their light sabers to battle for the forces of good and evil.

The Pope has not yet answered our prayers asking for an explanation.

More news as it comes to hand.

Check it out!

A small download of software from Google is needed, but it takes only a minute.

You can log in with your existing Gmail/Google login information.

Why not drop on in and remodel the room a bit for me while you learn how to add and move things?

To kick it off, simply click on “Click to enter room” at the bottom of the image below!

Anyone familiar with the amazing qualities that old style vacuum tubes have will understand the amazing prices 40, 50 and 60 year old tubes fetch on the internet. Its just as amazing that so many brand new but very old tubes are available in the first place.

Millions of dollars of tubes would be traded on Ebay alone each day, with many tubes fetching hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

The sound they produce can be absolutely amazing, and most people will be very impressed when they hear a well made amplifier with 1950’s tubes sounding much better than their latest solid state high tech amplifier.

Well, a French amateur radio operator goes one step further than making his own valve-driven radio - he also roles his own tubes!

This 17 minute video gives an amazing insight into this incredible talent, something I would love to be able to do!

Sit back and watch this genius at work - its amazing!

Where I live, they are paranoid about speed and spend a lot of time trying to brainwash people into thinking that it is the cause of all road deaths.

Conveniently they also generate massive revenues per year from speed cameras. $700M or so just in my state. You can get fined around $150 for being 1.875mph over the limit. Seriously.

Below is what is envizaged as the ultimate solution for speeders - a radar speed camera with an in-built belt-fed machine gun. When it detects you speeding, it simply blows you to pieces.

I have no doubt they will evaluate it and look at implementing it….as soon as they can work out a way to take your money before you are killed…

Must say it makes me cringe.

Horrible Housemates is a new blog that gives us an insight into what its like to share a house with people who probably should live alone in the wilderness.

It reminds me why I never want to share a house again!

Longtime weatherman Chris Allen was reprimanded recently for “acting in a juvenile and unprofessional manner”, Vice President Rick McCue of WBKO-TV in Kentucky said.

A video of Allen has recently hit the internet, showing him clowning around in front of a background picture of a woman and her breast (see picture above), with the title “Breast Milk Donors”.

The tape was recoded some years ago, but stolen by an employee and posted to the internet.

In the video, a grinning Allen is seen to lick the nipple and squeeze the breast while making honking noises, whistling and laughing.

The statement made by the station included the following apology from Allen:

“This video - which was never intended to be seen outside of the station - was part of a joke that was played on me during a lighter moment off the air several years ago. I regret that a former employee has decided it is something that everyone should see and took the liberty of posting it on the internet,” Allen said. “I am embarrassed by the whole ordeal and humbly apologise for anyone offended by my actions.”

The video has subsequently been removed from YouTube and Google Video as the station considers the tape to be copyright.

The net is full of good ideas, and another interesting idea in the same vein as Million Dollar Wiki and Million Dollar Homepage is the new Blogging The Movie.

With only 500 spaces available at just $100 each, its bound to sell out fast once word gets around.

Prija has some lofty goals that he hopes bloggers will help him achieve:

1) Raise $50,000 to fund the concept.
2) Buy 2 cars which he will cover with the domain names of the lucky 500 sponsors.
3) Give one car to his little sister who will drive it around California whilst she attends college.
4) Film the whole process from start to scratch.
5) Do a photo shoot with himself and the other car.
6) Start a contest to give the second car away free.
7) Publicise the whole event in the media
Select 10 bloggers, and fly around the world to meet them and experience a few days in the life of each blogger.
9) Produce the movie
10) Submit the movie to various film festivals
11) Put the film on DVD.

At the time of writing, the top 9 positions are taken, leaving only 491 left which is nothing in the scheme of things.

So whats in it for the sponsors?

a) Publicity for their website via the two cars (covered in site ads) being driven about and the story published in the media.
b) Two 200+ word reviews of their website
c) A permanent link and tag on http://www.bloggingthemovie.com/car/
d) The first 20 sponsors will receive a link in the Featured Site section at http://www.bloggingthemovie.com/ and http://www.bloggingthemovie.com/car/ for the rest of 2007.

Its a very interesting concept, and quite possibly one that may pay off in spades for sponsors. Its unique enough that the media may just pick up on the story.

Best of all, if all 500 sponsorship spaces are not sold a full refund will be forthcoming on 1 September 2008, leaving early sponsors with some great potential PR for their websites between now and then: and the sponsors will still receive their two free 200 word reviews and a permanent link on the site.

Best of all if you move fast, at the time of writing, there are still 11 places left in the top 20 - meaning you get even better value for money as you are a Featured Site for the rest of 2007.

What a great idea!