The race among the world's cities to build the ultimate record-busting, flat-out tallest skyscraper on the planet is fast and furious. And the obsession to build mega-structures in nosebleed territory is particularly acute in much of economically dynamic Asia and the oil-rich Middle East.

Even lesser-known regional cities with a burning ambition to make their mark, view big, gutsy, and distinctively designed skyscrapers as potential game-changers—and are willing to offer serious incentives to get them.

This article is over a month old, but I've been watching this race for some time. Even Nashville is getting in on "Manhattanization," with groundbreaking of the 1,057 ft. (322 m) Signature Tower scheduled to begin in July.

Related articles:

Mine's Bigger
Eileen Daspin, May 2007

Signature Tower - Home
Signature Tower - Wikipedia

Burj Mubarak al-Kabir - Wikipedia

Al Burj - Wikipedia

Burj Dubai - Home
Burj Dubai - Wikipedia

The Race for the Tallest Skyscraper

From Sun (in an update we received from analyst relations):

While the case was not litigated to conclusion on the merits, it is worth noting that the patent infringement and trade secret claims against Azul grew larger during the pendency of the case. In light of mounting evidence that Azul employees were in possession of Sun Confidential and Proprietary information, Azul came to the realization it would be better to return to negotiations and settle the claims, rather than continue with the lawsuit they initiated.

From Azul (in a letter from Scott Sellers, their COO):

Since the lawsuits were filed over a year ago, our conviction that we would be victorious only grew stronger. While Sun continued to add to the quantity of patent and trade secrets in dispute, we felt the quality of their case continued to remain weak, and believed the assertion of these claims against us was competitively motivated. And as a result of several Court rulings, including a ruling in December where Sun acknowledged that all of the then identified trade secrets they alleged Azul misappropriated were actually now in the public domain, our Board and investors remained committed to the path of litigation.

I couldn't have spun it better myself.

Azul vs. Sun: Who Won?

All I'm sayin' is my XT4 better be ready to ship before Christmas, or heads will roll, dammit!

Cray says it may not show a profit in 2007

Microsoft agrees to partnership with desktop operating system distributor Linspire.

Microsoft Signs Third Linux Pact

In the process of doing some research, I ran across this page at the Secret Service website. They even have a spiffy poster. I still prefer using plastic, though.

U. S. Secret Service - Know Your Money