Blog is short for "weblog". Wikipedia's definition is "a type of website where entries are made (such as in a journal or diary), displayed in a reverse chronological order". A few years ago, they were just engines for web-crazy folks to publish their daily thoughts and commentary. An online journal, either public or private. Now, with the maturing of the internet and broadband, blog ownership has spread like wildfire, with millions of professional and amateur blogs and bloggers.

The key attraction of podcasts is that, with the right tools, they can be created by professionals and amateurs alike. It is important to note that even if you don't earn money from your podcast, you are still subject to copyright law. This means you can't just use music or film clips without permission. There are several good websites with "pod-safe" music available free of charge to podcasters, as long as they give credit to the artist and the website.

The Barr tribunal has been widely criticised but at least the Carthy family got an apology. Irene Stanley describes her battle for justice for her husband, who was shot dead by British police. By Eleanor Burnhill

Podcasts and vidcasts are audio and video shows available over the internet. Not to be confused with internet radio, podcasts aren't live or broadcast. They are downloadable content-on-demand, perfect for listening to or watching on an iPod or other audio/video device.

Ten years ago, 54.4 per cent of the population in the Dublin Docklands area had left education at 15, 23.6 per cent had left school at primary level, only 10 per cent did their leaving certificate and one per cent of the population went to third-level education.

One District Court judge claimed €86,451 in expenses in 2004. On average 46 District Court judges claimed almost €24,000 each in expenses. Circuit Court judges claimed on average over €25,000, with one claiming €63,304. By Emma Browne

So, here's the dilemma. You like your Nokia phone, but have recently found yourself leering at your colleague's BlackBerry. (Those unfamiliar with the phenomenon, see the box below.) You want to do the BlackBerry email thing, but don't want to desert your familiar Nokia. Well, the new Nokia E61 could be a solution.

The first demo of the $100 laptop was given in June at the Red Hat Summit Nashville, USA. The project, developed under the banner of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), is an ambitious and idealistic proposal aiming to provide laptops to children in the developing world.

Work on the Alfie Byrne Road side of the Port Tunnel has been halted due to complaints from residents that soil with hazardous waste is being placed in Fairview Park.

The Government has been shaken by a traumatic three months, but the opposition has failed to capitalise. By Vincent Browne, Emma Browne and Colin Murphy