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Cars and sewing machines have foot-operated controls, so why not computers? Microsoft Research is considering transferring some keyboard and mouse commands to pedals, and is investigating which MS Office commands might most usefully be controlled this way. Using pedals instead of hand controls might help people avoid repetitive strain injury.

People playing the online game Entropia Universe can now withdraw money earned in the virtual realm from ordinary cash machines. Gamers build up their virtual fortune by acquiring goods, buildings and land. A cash card created by the game’s developer MindArk will allow this money to be easily withdrawn and…

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