The things European cows have to worry about these days. As if mad cow disease weren’t enough, some people have been ruminating that mobile phone signals could be driving cattle batty.
It appears the concerns were overstated. A US$357,000 study, ordered by the Bavarian state government and half funded by mobile operators, failed to prove that wireless phone transmissions harm cattle. The results were based on a field study conducted by German scientists on 38 farms in Bavaria and Hesse, half of them in the proximity of mobile network antennas. Scientists observed changes in “cud-chewing behaviour” in some herds near the antennas, but there was no solid cause-and-effect relationship. In fact, there was no conclusive evidence of any health effects.
Canadian Web site has high ideals
Vancouver-based Pot-TV has been broadcasting on the Internet since last spring, producing segments such as a daily marijuana news show. The site is run out of a basement, and has been getting approximately 25,000 hits a month. Visitors can tune in to such programs as Cannabis Common Sense, or Shake ‘n Bake, a cooking show.
The site’s producer has indicated that Pot-TV earns no revenue, and that he supports it by selling marijuana seeds. He is adamant that the site is doing nothing illegal, but the cops are reportedly still concerned. While it is against the law to possess or distribute information that helps people use drugs, the law does not cover the Internet. The police are apparently trying to address the loophole with new laws.
Pamela goes on-line
She just might give cyber-queen Cindy Margolis a run for her money. Canadian-born actress Pamela Anderson launched her Web site, PamTV.com, last month. She has noted that it is not just a fan site, but more of an entertainment company.
The former Bay Watch star, who now appears on the television show VIP, plans to produce syndicated content for TV and magazines on the site. When visitors first arrive at the site, an animated version of Pamela pops up and asks for a name. Keying it in personalizes everything the animated Pam has to say throughout the rest of the site. Visitors can click though to see Pamela’s schedule, send her e-mail, see her photo gallery or access video clips, which she promises will be updated regularly. There is also a link to the VIP Web site.