Links for Wednesday May 28^th, 2008

• Google Backers Back Aster Data Systems. It’s All About The Clusters.: Worked with these guys a little while I was at Aggregate Knowledge. Their product was a little raw, but is getting better - I wish them the best of luck.

• Can Hotshot Ad Guy Alex Bogusky Make Microsoft Cool? | Fast Company: My take on this is that you can't polish a turd, no matter how much money you plow into advertisements. Fundamentally, Microsoft's products aren't that great right now, and that is the core problem.

• Barron’s Online : D: Michael Dell Sees Profits "Growing Nicely" In FY '09: Dell has gained more share in the consumer sector than even Apple? Seems contrary to the recent articles toasting to Apple's success in the $1000+ market.

• WCI student isolates microbe that lunches on plastic bags: Interesting that nobody has tackled this before. Definitely re-inforces why students should have access to chemistry sets, and other materials for conducting experiments.