File-sharing firm Grokster shuts down: News.com reports,

File-swapping company Grokster has agreed to stop distributing its peer-to-peer software, following a $50 million legal settlement announced Monday with Hollywood studios and record labels.

Along with co-defendant StreamCast Networks, Grokster had been accused by the music and movie industries of contributing to widespread copyright infringement by people who used its software to download songs and films. Monday's settlement comes four months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled substantially in the entertainment companies' favor.

Under the terms of the agreement, submitted in a Los Angeles federal court Monday, Grokster will immediately stop supporting its file-swapping network, and Grokster's owners will be responsible for paying a total of $50 million in damages to movie studios, record labels and music publishers....

Neil Diamond: 14 cuts from 12 Songs stream free online: Reader Bill Marsland writes,

Maybe as a counterpoint to bluegrass Pink Floyd or maybe just because I'm a child of the 60's, I wanted to let you know that MySpace, the personal connection website that often previews new music, is currently streaming Neil Diamond's new CD "12 Songs". Back when I was first married in the mid 70's, Neil was a mainstay on my turntable (now doesn't that word show my age!!). My collection of old vinyl still contains quite a few of his albums and I remember seeing him several times at the "Civic Center".

Here is the link. Enjoy!!
http://www.myspace.com/neildiamond

I just noticed. Brian Wilson is on the last track with Neil doing harmony. Can't miss that voice. Unmistakable!!

Billy Preston plays on one of the tracks as well as members of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers

At least it's not about size: Meanwhile, reader Eric Lilius of Eagle Lake, Ontario sends a Rhode Island sighting in the comics world. This is from Helen, Sweetheart of the Internet by Peter Zale.

What do you think she could mean?