(Off-topic. This isn't an endorsement or recommendation by UPSU - I just happen to think it's rather cool. And yes, I'm a gadget freak... ;o)

I've just seen this mentioned on BBC news.

It's hand-held gadget that lets you home in on a postage stamp-sized tag which you can stick on to anything (or anyone) valuable. Handy for finding lost keys, laptops, kids, cars, and I'm sure there's at least one stalker and/or private detective out there who'll want fifty of these...

£99 gets you the gadget, 1 panic homing tag (which is the tag that sets the Loc8tor's alarm off if it goes outside a certain range) and 3 mini homing tags.

Think I'll get one for the Macbook :D

/al

With an eerie sense of timing, just as Alexander Litvinenko - the former Russian spy with an outspoken hatred of Russia's spying tactics - finds himself in the news after his apparent poisoning, this month's issue of Pugwash carries a story on the subject of the similarities between Russia's long-standing spying culture, and Britain's apparent move towards such a culture in the name of fighting terrorism.

Alexander Litvinenko claims his poisoning attempt - which has resulted in serious illness, and appears to have been caused by a poison formerly used as a rodenticide until its use was banned due to health fears - was the work of his former KGB employers, who are apparently somewhat underwhelmed by his criticisms of the Russian government.

You can read Agnes Smedley's "Under Surveillance" in this month's Pugwash online, or grab a copy of the magazine from the Union.

UPDATE: According to BBC News, Litvinenko has died of a suspected heart attack shortly after 9pm, Thursday 23rd November. Doctors believe he may have been poisoned with radioactive Thallium. Not a nice way to go!

An unnamed bright spark at the University has suggested the idea of a pay-as-you-go car rental service to try and reduce car usage.

What worries me is the likelihood of this scheme - which sounds like it's going to be marketed at students - all going a bit wrong.

You see, I know it's a requirement of using a hire car that one should attempt to set the land speed record, followed shortly by an engine endurance record, and then (if the vehicle survives), to attempt several variations of the Top Gear handling tests - using a variety of Portsmouth's bumpiest roads - to see who can destroy the car in the shortest time.

Surely combining students (or any other group of young people) with somebody else's car equals a very low survival rate for the cars...?

If they choose a Ford, some of these acronyms might be appropriate...

• Fixed Or Repaired Daily
• Forever On Ramps, Dismantled
• Found On Rubbish Dumps

... and if they're Fiats: "Fix It Again Tomorrow" would suit.

... I'll get my coat...