Fiat needs direction, NSI needs a connection

I admit it: The single life is getting to me. I finally broke down and signed up for an online dating service. It’s one of those sites that runs criminal background checks and promises to feed you to the feds if you lie on your application. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the market, but isn’t lying what dating’s all about?

Ciao dude, dove il mio automobile?: In an announcement sure to send Enzo Ferrari spinning in his grave, Microsoft has snagged a deal to supply all Fiats made in Europe with a Windows-based onboard navigation system. Now that’s a marriage made in l’Inferno. Having owned both Fiat and Windows machines, I find it difficult to say which caused more aggravation. But at least the Fiat scored me a few hot dates.

Network dissolution: You’d think the world’s largest Web registrar might remember when its own domain names were about to expire. But apparently that’s not the case at Network Solutions. Last week tipster Dana F. tried to dial up nsi.com, only to find the site unavailable and its domain registration lapsed. When the company discovered the gaffe, it slapped a quick one-year renewal on the domain; nsi.com has since been converted to Netsol’s new 100 Year Domain Service, says company spokesdude Jeff Grosman. OK, everyone who believes Network Solutions will be around in the year 2104, please raise your hand.

Heat wave: Although Dell continues to deny any overheating problem in its SX270 minitowers, one Cringester reports that the company has quietly replaced 44 of his 50 SX motherboards. Good thing there’s no problem, or they’d have to swap out all 50.

Washand ware: The Register reports that two plucky penguin-heads in Toronto have opened the world’s first Linux-based car wash. Actually, it’s more like a Linux computer store with a car wash attached, but you gotta love the concept. I understand that if you try to drive through the wash in one of those Windows-based Fiats, the car’s wheels lock up and the auto-navigation voice insists the car is already as clean as it could possibly be.

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