The miniscule three-question Space Empires V FAQ (thanks Frans) has been updated with a new release date reflecting a delay to the upcoming continuation of the 4X space strategy series. Where the expected release date previously listed April 2006, the site now lists June 2006.

• MMOs in China
  Joystiq interviews Hoyt Ma of The9 talking about bringing the MMORPG World of Warcraft to the massive Chinese audience: "Korean-style games were dominating in China before WoW -- games with 2D graphics that require a lot of clicking like Diablo. WoW is one of the first western-style MMORPG games with 3D graphics, so there was that 2D mindset to overcome. But there were other barriers. WoW requires middle to high-end PC configurations, as well as a broadband Internet connection, and cost is a major barrier to Chinese gamers. Another issue was the perceived complexity with the interface input - Chinese gamers were used to the Korean games where you just click the mouse. However, during game testing, we discovered that newbies could pick up WoW within 5-10 minutes, so user friendliness was a very important consideration."
• Red Cross
  Shacknews' Q&A with David Pratt of the Canadian Red Cross discusses the stink they are raising over the illegal use of the Red Cross logo in games. "Yeah, we're in touch with certainly the American Red Cross and others. Hoewver [sic], I want to emphasize this as strongly as possible, this involves people in the pdocution [sic] of toy kits, people in the medical profession, doctors and dentists who are appropriating the symbol for their own prupose [sic], people who repair computers who use the red cross as their symbol. There are literally countless examples. Any any given time within the Canadian Red Cross, we're dealing with over 100 cases. It doesn't involve just the games industry, it is cross-cutting, and even actually some governmental and non governmental organizations. "

• Birth of America on Worthplaying.

• Dreamfall: The Longest Journey on PCPointer.de.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• True 3D Display Technology Demonstrated in Japan.
• Intel looks beyond the microchip.
• The Software You Buy vs. the Free Stuff (registration required).
• AnandTech Price Guide, February 2006 - Storage.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Future reveals Official Nintendo Magazine.
• MS Saga: A New Dawn Goes Gold For Playstation 2.
• Rugby 06 Dan Carter Q&A.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Clearwire Unplugs North Carolina - Wireless service launched across the Triad.
• Wireless to organize -- and maybe save -- lives.
• Gates: we'll continue to challenge iTunes, iPod.
• Poll: 63% of gamers to buy a DS lite in Japan. But remember, 90% of statistics are 48% fabricated.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• So Long, Dalai Lama: Google Adapts to China. Building the Great Firewall of China.
• Wikipedia reviewing US, Canadian and British political bios.
• Time Warner Cable 30Mbps - But only in developments in San Antonio. Everything's bigger in Texas.

Thanks Mike Martinez.

• Microsoft Anti-Spyware Deleting Norton Anti-Virus. Anti-bloatware.
• California Hacker Charged - Potentially 'deadly' botnet shut down hospital ICU.

The Area 51 Quake IV Finals are scheduled for this evening.

• 25 to Life on Gameguru Mania.
• Darwinia on HookedGamers.
• The Movies on GamesFirst.
• Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space on Gamers With Jobs.

• Albatron GeForce 6600 - 512 MB Video Card on Overclocker Cafe.
• Boblbe-e People's Delite Executive Panther backpack on Hardware-Review.net.
• Cooler Master Centurion 532 ATX Case on Hardware-Review.net.
• Kingwin SK-523 (SW) ATX Case on Virtual-Hideout.Net.
• Logitech G15 Keyboard on CoolTechZone.com.
• Samsung 244T LCD Monitor on Overclockers Online.
• Sharkoon Rainbow Fan on Hardware-Review.net.

• Game publishers ignore baby boomer, senior gamers (thanks Slashdot and Ant) even though games my help keep the brain young (thanks Boing Boing and Mike Martinez)...
• Averaging Gradius. Thanks Slashdot and Ant...
• Prisoners use video game to relive crime (thanks Mike Martinez). A-ha! Proof that violent crimes cause video games!...

Good thing we battened down the hatches (or at least I think we did, I'm not exactly sure what goes into "battening"). Holy mackerel did it ever snow out there! We have well over a foot on the ground and it's still going on. This has been the mildest winter we've had since we've been here, but conversely this is by far the biggest storm we've had... well over a foot, and still falling!

Snowed in Links!	Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
Play:	Snowboarder XS. Thanks Kevin.
Science:	Greetings Kill: Primer for a Pandemic (registration required). Thinning the Milk Does Not Mean Thinning the Child (registration required).
Images:	Photo Altitude. Thanks DL. Olympics: Opening Ceremony. From Tim Burton?
Media:	Conan Malfunction. Lawn Chair Racing. Darwin meets folding furniture. Automatic Shotgun. Including the boring loading sequence not shown in theaters.
Follow-ups:	Fossett flies to non-stop record.